ECP rejects calls for postponing general elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed the proposal to postpone the general elections, emphasising that the established polling date of February 8 was mutually determined.

In a letter addressed to the Joint Secretary (Legislation) of the Senate, the ECP conveyed that it would not be prudent to postpone the general elections at this stage. Additionally, the resolution of the upper house of the parliament cannot be currently implemented, the official news agency reported.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already directed the caretaker government to ensure the maintenance of law and order during elections. This includes enhancing the security framework to create a favourable environment for peaceful and credible conduct of the 2024 general elections.

The letter stated that the ECP has made a commitment before the Supreme Court to conduct the general elections on February 8, 2024.

Similarly, it is worth noting that previous general elections and local government elections have taken place during the winter season.

It is worth noting that independent Senator Dilawar Khan has written a letter to the Senate chairman, expressing concern that the ECP has not taken any steps to implement his resolution passed on January 5, which proposed the postponement of the elections.

The resolution received majority support with 14 votes from the senators.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi categorically said on Monday that the Election Commission of Pakistan and federal and provincial governments were committed to hold general elections in the country on February 8.

Using his account on social media platforms, he said, “The government is committed to hold elections on Thursday, February 8 and so are the federal and provincial governments.”

He said that the federal and provincial governments would fulfil all administrative, financial and security requirements of the ECP.