Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP) has officially set the stage for the country’s upcoming general elections, ending the uncertainty looming since the dissolution of national and provincial assemblies in August. The ECP announced that the polls will take place in the last week of January 2024, marking an essential milestone in Pakistan’s democratic process. This decision comes after careful deliberation regarding the need for constituency delimitations in line with the new census data.
The ECP’s electoral roadmap includes the following key milestones:
- Preliminary List of Delimitations (September 27, 2023): The electoral body will release an initial list of constituency delimitations, which have been a crucial part of the election preparations, as they align with updated census data.
- Final List of Constituencies (November 30, 2023): Following public hearings to address objections and suggestions related to the delimitations, the ECP will publish the ultimate list of constituencies.
- Election Schedule (54 Days): After finalizing the delimitations, the ECP will implement a 54-day election schedule, culminating in the polling week in late January 2024.
The ECP’s decision to conduct delimitations in light of the new census presented a challenge due to the 90-day stipulated period within which elections should have been held after the dissolution of assemblies. This period, which should have ended by November 6, 2023, could not be adhered to while ensuring proper delimitation procedures were followed. Key political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), pressed for timely elections to resolve the prevailing political uncertainty.
International voices, including those of the United States and the United Kingdom, have also emphasized the importance of conducting free, fair, and timely elections in Pakistan. US Ambassador Donald Blome reiterated his country’s support for this democratic process during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
President Arif Alvi played a pivotal role in the timeline discussions. He referred to Article 48(5) of the Constitution, asserting his authority and mandate to appoint a date for holding general elections within 90 days of assembly dissolution. In his interpretation, this implied a deadline of November 6, 2023.
However, the ECP maintained that the president’s power to set the election date no longer applied after recent amendments to election laws.
Pakistan’s Election Commission’s announcement of the general election date in late January 2024 brings much-needed clarity and resolution to the country’s political landscape. Prioritizing proper constituency delimitations underscores the commitment to conducting fair and transparent elections. It also reflects the intricate balance between constitutional mandates and the need for thorough electoral preparations in Pakistan’s democratic journey.