No More Dodging As ECP Announces Much-anticipated General Elections in Pakistan

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Putting an end to months-long uncertainty, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told the Supreme Court on Thursday that general elections will be held on February 11.

The electoral body made the revelation as the apex court resumed hearing a set of petitions calling for holding elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly and the provincial legislatures.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and Justice Athar Minallah took up the pleas moved by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the PTI, Munir Ahmad and Ibad-ur-Rehman.

During today’s hearing, the CJP sought a clear stance from the electoral body on polls to which the ECP lawyer said there was a 54-day schedule after the delimitation process. “All arrangements including the drawing of constituencies will be completed by Jan 29,” Sajeel Swati said, adding that the final list of constituencies will be published on Dec 5.

He told the court that the electoral body had been looking to hold polls on a Sunday for the ease of the public. “Hence we decided that elections will be held on Feb 11, which is the second Sunday,” the lawyer added.

CJP Isa asked the ECP if President Arif Alvi was taken on board in the matter to which Swati said “we are not bound to take the president on board”. This drew the chief justice’s ire. “Both the president and ECP are Pakistanis. Why is the ECP hesitant to consult with the president?” he asked and then directed the electoral body to discuss the matter with Alvi today.

After a half-hour recess in the hearing, Swati told the SC that the ECP would be consulting with the president today. “Knock his door even if he doesn’t call you,” Justice Isa said and then instructed Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to stay on board during the consultation.

Subsequently, the CJP, while dictating the order of the proceedings in the case, said that the election date given would have to be implemented.

“SC wants polls to be held without any arguments,” the top judge said, adding that the court only wanted a solution to the issue and didn’t want to get stuck in any technicalities.

Later, Secretary Omar Hamid Khan confirmed to Geo News that the consultation with the president will be taking place “shortly”.