ECP proposes Punjab, KP polls by mid-April

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan has written letters to principal secretaries of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in which it has suggested to hold polls for the provincial assemblies by mid-April.

The ECP has proposed to hold Punjab Assembly elections between April 9 and 13 and that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly between April 15 and 17.

Punjab Assembly was dissolved on January 14 while the dissolution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly took place on January 18.

The letters say Article 224 (2) of the Constitution stipulates that general election for an assembly should be held within 90 days of the legislature’s dissolution.

Article 224 states: “When the National Assembly or a provincial assembly is dissolved, a general election to the assembly shall be held within a period of ninety days after the dissolution, and the results of the election shall be declared not later than fourteen days after the conclusion of the polls.”

The ECP said that the date for the elections must not exceed April 13.

“Likewise, for completion of all activities mentioned in the election programme as per section 57 (2) of the Elections Act, 2017 minimum of 54 days will be required,” the ECP said in its letter.