Alvi urges ECP to 'immediately' announce K-P, Punjab election dates

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the dates for elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Punjab, stating that the Constitution did not allow for any delays. In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, the president highlighted the “relevant provisions of the Constitution” after the “dissolution of two Provincial Assemblies, Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and consequential elections to be held there”. President to ECP: Immediately announce date of elections as Constitution doesn’t allow any delay. The Letter 👇 https://t.co/o9PhBizBC5 pic.twitter.com/mTYkPVnduL — The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 8, 2023 It maintained that Article 2A of the Constitution said that “the State shall exercise its power and authority through the chosen representatives of the people”. Alvi furthered that “such is the unflinching resolve and commitment by the forefathers of the Nation who drafted the Objectives Resolution duly made part of the Constitution (Article 2A). Thus, there remains no obscurity about the democratic principles and values that are to be adhered to, observed and followed”. Read Alvi urges investment in human resources It emphasised that the dissolution of a provincial assembly can happen either under Article 105 or Article 112. “In either situation, the election of the Assembly is to be held within 90 days of the dissolution. Such a mandate stands further fortified by Article 224(2) emphasising the holding of an election in 90 days. The conduct and 1 holding of elections is the primary and essential duty of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as per PART VIII of the Constitution- in particular Article 218 (3) casts a duty on the ECP to ensure the holding of fair and free election”. According to the president, if the Commission failed to discharge its functions and duties, it would be held responsible and answerable for the violation of the Constitution. Alvi stated that as the president he was “under Oath [Article 42 Third Schedule] ‘to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution’” and that it was his “constitutional responsibility to remind the CEC and Members of the Commission about their fundamental duty”. “One of the oldest democracies of the current era, the United States of America is strong, I believe also because it has never delayed its elections,” he added. Alvi maintained that he was of the “firm view that there are no such circumstances as may furnish any justification for delaying or postponing of elections”. He added that postponing constitutionally mandated elections could morph into “serious long-term setbacks to democracy”. He concluded that the electoral watchdog, in accordance with Constitution and the law, should immediately announce the date of polls by issuing an election schedule and “put an end to such dangerous speculative propaganda for these and future general elections”. Copies of the letter were also sent to National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the governors of Punjab and K-P, and the speakers of the respective provincial assemblies.

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