The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought to clarify the situation amid rising speculations concerning the upcoming general elections.
On Wednesday, ECP assured the Awami National Party (ANP) that the polls could be conducted by the end of January if the delimitation process wraps up earlier than expected. However, they maintained that mid-February remains the utmost deadline.
This official statement by the ECP followed a series of consultation sessions with the ANP, Balochistan National Party (BNP), and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). All meetings, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, aimed to discuss the roadmap leading to the general elections.
Key figures from all parties attended these sessions. The ANP was represented by a delegation led by its Secretary General, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, while BAP’s representation included figures like Naseebullah and Manzoor Kakar. Abdul Karim Noshrawani and Sana Jamali were among the BNP delegates.
The Delimitation Debate
Central to these discussions was the matter of delimitation. The ANP delegates, according to an official statement, pressed for a set date for the polls. They argued that, constitutionally, elections should be held within a 90-day timeframe. They further stated that the ECP should have included political parties in the delimitation discussion, as they believed there was no need for a new delimitation.
However, the CEC highlighted that the current schedule entails completing the delimitation work by December 14, 2023. Following this, the election dates would be announced. He even suggested the possibility of an earlier date if the delimitation duration gets curtailed.
In contrast, the BAP delegation backed the ECP’s decision for a new delimitation. They viewed it as necessary in light of the latest census results. BNP, however, voiced concerns over the new census and the subsequent delimitation, believing that the census had inaccuracies concerning the population of Balochistan.
Concluding the meetings, the CEC reassured the party representatives. He emphasized that the ECP ensures swift elections post the delimitation period. After the sessions, while addressing the media, Mian Iftikhar reiterated the commission’s commitment to expedite the delimitation process, ultimately aiming for general elections by mid-February at the latest.
