President Dr. Arif Alvi met again with the caretaker Law Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam, continuing discussions regarding the forthcoming general elections. The meeting, which took place at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad, comes amidst intense speculation that the poll date announcement is on the horizon. Dr. Alvi emphasized the importance of adhering to the 90-day timeframe stipulated by the Constitution for elections following the National Assembly’s dissolution, expressing his commitment to upholding the constitutional mandate. Despite these discussions, a final decision on the poll date remains uncertain, with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and various stakeholders holding differing views on the appropriate timing.
Discrepancies in Legal Stances on Poll Date Announcement
Tensions are rising as President Alvi and the ECP assert their respective authorities to announce the election date. While Alvi insists on setting a date within the constitutional 90-day period following the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9, recent amendments to the Elections Act 2017 grant the ECP the sole authority to determine the election date without presidential consultation. The ECP cites the necessity of awaiting the official publication of the new 2023 digital census results as the reason for a potential delay, potentially pushing the elections to late January or early February next year.
Growing Demands and Political Reactions
The persistent uncertainty surrounding the election date has sparked widespread calls from various sectors, including political parties like the PPP and PTI, for a prompt announcement. Despite legal alterations relegating the power to the ECP, PTI urged President Alvi to fulfil his constitutional obligation by setting the poll date, enabling the public to elect their representatives. Conversely, PML-N deputy secretary general Attaullah Tarar argued that Alvi, having completed his term, lacks the legal right to announce the election date, warning that any such move could potentially incite instability and uncertainty in the country.
