PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to change the schedule of Presidential elections in light of the last ten days of Ramazan, Express News reported.
The Ministry of Law has officially requested the ECP to reschedule the August 6 presidential elections in light of Ramazan when some members of the Parliament would not only be busy in worship and aitekaaf, but would also be gone abroad for the Umrah.
The ministry has requested that if the ECP was constitutionally bound not to extend the elections beyond August 6, then the presidential elections could take place before the scheduled date so that some members of the parliament can fulfill their religious obligations.
According to a summary being forwarded by the Secretariat of the ECP, the ECP has not been convinced by the government’s request so far and the elections could very well take place on August 6.
The ECP said that it would be difficult to change the schedule that has already been issued, that includes submission of nomination papers on July 24, scrutiny of nominees on July 26 and list of nominees to be issued on July 29.
The summary by the secretariat has been forwarded to the Chief Election Commissioner who will make the final decision.
The decision from the Chief election commissioner is expected to come out today or tomorrow.
The last ten days of Ramazan bear special religious significance for Muslims and could start from July 29.
COMMENTS (12)
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This Mubarak job should be done in Ramazan. The oath taking should be organized on the night of Eid so that the nation could celebrate both next day.
@Polpot: You make no sense, is it some Indian gobble gook.
@lol: Just read your constitution, I am sure you are not that ignorant of a person. There is set time limit in the constitution for Presidential elections and those who are vacationing abroad either come back for casting their ballots or just stay there and not be counted. What is with you people, if it is inconvenience for you then just ignore and circumvent the constitution, that is one the biggest reason why Pakistan is in so much trouble because the sitting government or the people has no respect for their own constitution.
...and after Ramadan they will be busy with meeting eid with everyone of their constituencies...and then they will be preparing for eid ul azha...and then it will be Muharram...then rabiulawwal....so the lawmakers schedules are too busy for the presidential elections...can we please postpone them until the next general elections?...oh and these are all valid excuses for the local govt elections too so pls cut-paste these excuses there too... ;p
Fakhru Bhai once again chickened out!!
Its amazing how we muslims in general and pakistanis in particular always run on ad hoc basis. Why is the elections schedule not set, why it has to be a revelation, and why do the parliamentarians not know what the schedule is? In the USA the elections schedule is set, forever. Second tuesday of November, very 4 years for presidential elections, forever. No changes. And no holidays for elections. People and candidates know the shcedule and plan accordingly. But muslims don't even know when ramadan, eid etc. start even though scientifically the new moon date is known (forever), much less the elections schedule. Its time we stepped into the modern world or continue to be the laughing stock - the choice is ours. Or worse, our next generations will be skeptical of being muslim.
"August 6 presidential elections in light of Ramazan when some members of the Parliament would not only be busy in worship and aitekaaf, but would also be gone abroad for the Umrah."
They are asking to postpone elections because it is during the last 10 days of Ramadan, and some Parliamentarians (probably unlike the people commenting above me) will be busy in worship, the reason is valid and in any case the presidential term isn't over until September 8th? so it's a non-issue, why so many people are ignorant is beyond me
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: SWhould there note be an APC re the Presidential Election? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That by itself would cause a few months of delay:)
Why can't the government or any other institution in Pakistan stick to the Constitution, it is amazing that when political parties face dead lines or they are not ready then they will come up with any excuse to circumvent the constitution. I say to ECP to stick to the constitution and go with the elections. People take the elections and constitution seriously and may be you won't find yourself in this deep mess in Pakistan.
According to a popular Urdu daily from Karachi another request also filed as the Presidential candidature form does not include offical declaration to be verfied as a Muslim. An other pandora box has been opened.
Religion is a personal affair and it should not interfere in one's public responsibilities.