Pakistan Peoples Party once again emphasizes its demand for elections within the prescribed timeframe.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) once again emphasized the need for conducting elections within the constitutionally prescribed 90-day period following the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9. The party urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the election schedule promptly.
During a meeting at the ECP secretariat in Islamabad, the PPP reiterated its stance, as consultations between the electoral body and various parties continue regarding the electoral roadmap.
This dialogue comes in the context of the ECP’s decision to postpone elections beyond the 90-day limit, citing the need to wait for the results of the 2023 digital census and the requirement to delimit constituencies in accordance with the Elections Act.
While the ECP’s reasoning has led to a projected completion of the delimitation process by December 14, which exceeds the constitutionally mandated timeframe for general elections, the PPP remains steadfast in its call for adhering to Article 224 of the Constitution.
After the meeting, PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari emphasized the importance of announcing a new election date and schedule, noting the nation’s restlessness. The party intends to discuss the ECP’s response in a central executive committee meeting in Lahore and formulate its future strategy accordingly.
Former commerce minister Naveed Qamar, present at the meeting, expressed the PPP’s position that the delimitation process could be completed before December, given the absence of significant changes in provincial seat composition in the National Assembly.
The ECP confirmed the PPP’s demands, acknowledging the party’s call for expediting the delimitation process, announcing an election schedule, and conducting the polls as soon as possible for economic improvement, political stability, and uncertainty resolution. The Chief Election Commissioner assured the PPP delegation of the ECP’s commitment to swift delimitation and immediate general elections thereafter.