The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Dr Arif Alvi reached consensus on Thursday to hold general elections in the country on February 8.

According to the statement issued by the electoral watchdog, the consensus was reached in a meeting of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and President Dr Arif Alvi.

The President's House has also issued a statement on the agreed-upon date of the elections. The delegation of the ECP visited President House for the meeting on the orders of the Supreme Court, the statement said.

ECP declaration

Earlier, in a letter written to the president, Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja emphasized the need to address the Supreme Court’s order dated November 2, 2023.

The court had dismissed constitutional petitions no. 32 and 36 while permitting the Chief Minister’s Appeal Nos. 118 and 119 of 2023, leading to important decisions regarding the general elections.

The letter conveys the importance of deciding on the date for the general elections in Pakistan following consultations between the electoral watchdog and the President of Pakistan.

To facilitate this process, the Attorney General of Pakistan will organize a meeting, presenting the court’s order of October 23, 2023, and the recent Supreme Court order. It is expected that a final decision on the election date will be reached, with notification to the Supreme Court on Friday, November 3, 2023.

The Commission, after thorough deliberation, has proposed the date of February 11, 2024, for the general elections of the National and Provincial Assemblies to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions.

Why Sunday is not picked as polling day?

Following the letter, a meeting between President Dr. Arif Alvi, the Chief Election Commissioner, and the Attorney General resulted in the presentation of three potential dates for the general elections: January 28, February 4, and February 11, 2024.

The discussion considered various constitutional and legal aspects, election preparations, and campaign timelines for political parties. The ECP recommended February 11, 2024, as the final date, offering adequate time for election campaigns.

Earlier today, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told the Supreme Court that general elections in the country will be held on February 11, 2024.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah heard pleas moved by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the PTI, Munir Ahmad, and Ibadur Rehman seeking elections within 90 days of dissolution of the National Assembly.

After the Supreme Court's orders to the election commission to consult the president over the election date, the ECP decided to contact President Dr Arif Alvi. The court also said it hoped the two sides would reach a consensus on elections and inform it about the decision tomorrow (Friday).

The hearing was then adjourned until tomorrow.

General elections to be held on February 11, #ECP tells #SupremeCourt #SamaaTV #News #ECP #GeneralElection #SupremeCourtOfPakistan pic.twitter.com/cEL5egobih
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 2, 2023

During the hearing, election commission officials, including Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Ali Zafar and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawyer Farooq H. Naik appeared in the Supreme Court.

PTI lawyer Ali Zafar, while giving arguments at the beginning of the hearing, said he would limit his request to only one point, which was that the elections should be held on time according to the Constitution.

Ali Zafar said that according to articles 58 and 224, if elections are not held, there will be no parliament, and laws will not be made. Giving the date of elections and giving a schedule are two different things.

The CJP remarked that his plea for elections within 90 days has become ineffective. During the hearing, the Pakistan People's Party was also allowed to become a party in the case.

Ali Zafar argued that if the president dissolves the assembly, he will have to give the election date within 90 days. At this, the chief justice inquired whether it was necessary for the president to consult the prime minister to give a date. The lawyer said it was not necessary, as the president has his own constitutional duty to give a date.

Justice Athar Minallah inquired whether the president has given a date for elections. Ali Zafar said in his opinion, that the president has given the date, but the Election Commission of Pakistan has said it was not the president's authority.

'President has to give the date'

Justice Minallah remarked that the president has to order the date and the government has to notify it.

The lawyer said the Law Ministry gave an opinion that the president cannot give a date for elections, while if 90 days are counted, the elections should have been held on November 7.

Justice Athar Minallah asked why it took so long for the president to write a letter to the election commission, while the CJP inquired whether the president approached the apex court to seek an opinion. The lawyer responded in the negative.

The CJP asked then how the president could advise someone else to do it.

Justice Minallah remarked that the command of the Constitution was very clear, the president had to give a date for elections, and there was no disagreement over this.

The CJP asked the lawyer whether he wanted the court to issue an instruction to the president to give the date. He remarked that the president says he has sought an opinion from so-and-so, asking if the court can issue a writ against the president. “According to you, the president has the authority to announce the election date. Does the SC also have the authority? If the president does not agree, we will issue him a contempt of court notice,” the CJP added.

The CJP remarked that holding elections is a good thing, not a problem. He inquired why the president was not called and asked to give the date for elections, while Justice Aminuddin remarked that the argument was that the president deviated from the Constitution.

Justice Minallah remarked that, in retrospect, the government, the election commission, and the president are all responsible. Now, the question is what the results will be, as the elections should be held on time.

The CJP asked if the PTI lawyer wanted the court to take action against the president. The president has given up and asked them to consult the court.

Violation of Constitution by delaying polls

Justice Minallah remarked that everyone, including the election commission, is responsible for the delay in elections. After the expiry of the stipulated period of 90 days, every day the Constitution was being violated, and whoever is not conducting the elections according to the Constitution is suspending the Constitution, which can call for invoking Article 6.

President Alvi violated the #Constitution by failing to announce an election date, remarked #CJP Isa #SamaaTV #SupremeCourt #Elections pic.twitter.com/5sPdluxtpT
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 2, 2023

The CJP remarked that the election commission is saying that it was their authority to give a date after an amendment to Section 57. He further said that if Section 57 has to be read with Article 58, then the commission is right, there was no need to consult the president, and he should give a date for elections. After that, let’s see what the election commission says.

Ali Zafar said that, in his opinion, the president should give a date only after consulting the election commission. At this point, the chief justice said if the ECP did not consult the president, then the date should be given.

Justice Minallah said he agreed to the extent that the president should give the date after consulting the ECP. Now, the commission has to answer why it refused to consult the president. If this is not done, it is akin to suspending the Constitution and invoking Article 6.

The Chief Justice noted that in the president's letter, he had suggested that the "court should address the election matter".

"Is the president implying that the court should take cognizance of the election issue?" he inquired.#SamaaTV #SupremeCourt #CJP pic.twitter.com/Fb8RxOO0q4
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 2, 2023

Ali Zafar said if someone did not act according to the Constitution, the Supreme Court could order action. Justice Minallah asked what order he wanted the court to issue to the president. He also told Supreme Court Bar Association President Abid Zuberi that the court did not say that elections in 90 days were not necessary under the Constitution.

Justice Minallah further remarked that they could not be responsible for a further delay, and under Article 48, now the president of Pakistan has to give a date for elections.

Elections on February 11

During the hearing, the lawyer for the election commission stated that the process of delimitation of constituencies will be completed by November 30 and elections will be held on February 11.

The lawyer said all arrangements, including the delimitation, will be completed on January 29, while the final lists will be completed on December 5. If 54 days were counted from December 5, then it came down to January 29, adding that they were looking for a Sunday for the convenience of the people in the elections.

Justice Minallah remarked that the election commission has rewritten the Constitution by not consulting the president. The CJP inquired whether the president was on board, to which the ECP lawyer said they were not bound to take the president on board.

Everyone is responsible for the delay

The court expressed anger for not consulting the president before giving the date. It ordered the election commission officials to consult the president on the date.

The CJP remarked that if the president and the ECP met today, the court will issue an order today, adding that the court will bind the ECP to act on whatever date is finalized.

PPP's lawyer Farooq H Naik argued the president violated the Constitution by not holding the elections in 90 days. The CJP remarked that it has not been 90 days as of now so there is no violation.

Justice Minallah said everyone is responsible for the delay in elections.

The attorney general requested the court not to give a decision on whose authority it was to give a date for the elections and said that the court should not decide on clause 5 of Article 48 of the Constitution.

Political parties react to general elections date

Political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Awami National Party (ANP) on have reacted to the announcement of date for general elections.

Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the date of the general elections today, while the counsel of the electoral watchdog told the apex that general elections in the country will be held on February 11, 2024.

The top court has directed the ECP to consult with the President and other relevant stakeholders to finalize the election date and report back to the court tomorrow (Friday).

This decision has evoked various responses from political parties, each sharing their opinions on the announced date for the general elections.

PPP wants all political parties to participate in elections

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Qamar Zaman Karia talking to SAMAA TV said the uncertain situation has finally culminated into the elections date being announced.

“The date announcement was necessary so that political parties could start the political process. In fact, the PPP has launched the electoral campaign. Let’s end the uncertainty,” he said.

PML-N reacts to Feb 11 elections date

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has termed the announcement of the general elections 2024 date a good development.

PML-N senior leader Muhammad Zubair, talking to SAMAA TV, said holding general elections on February 11 is a good step.

“There was uncertainty related to the elections in the country. The Constitution is very clear regarding the elections,” he added.

ECP urged to ensure transparent elections

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq on Wednesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure transparent polls in the country.

He expressed optimism that the people of the country will cast their votes for the JI on the basis of the party’s reputation. Haq bemoaned the country’s economic situation, saying, “The people are facing severe economic hardships. The world is witnessing a decrease in inflation, but in our country, prices are skyrocketing.’’

PPP will win elections, predicts Murad Ali Sindh

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Murad Ali Shah predicted that his party will win the elections.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Murad said: ‘’The PPP will snatch the level-playing field in the upcoming elections. We [PPP] will emerge as the country’s biggest political party''.

The former Sindh chief minister recounted the contributions made by the PPP. ‘’We came up with the world’s biggest project in terms of constructing the houses,’’ he maintained.

PPP will form govt with the support of people: Asif Zardari

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari said his party believes in serving the masses and will form government with the support of the people.

He said this in a meeting with chieftains and political leaders Abdul Qayyum Arain, Ayub Rajput, Shoaib Arain, Ayub Jutt, Ashiq Zardari, Tariq Masood Arain, Ali Hasan Zardari, and Ali Akbar Jamali, who held separate meetings with him and party chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Zardari House in Nawabshah.

More to follow...