Presidential poll likely to suffer delay

It will be another great challenge for PTI to have its candidate at coveted position

ISLAMABAD: Immediately after formation of governments at the Centre and in the provinces, election for the new president of the country will be held. However, it will be a challenge for the incoming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to get its candidate elected to the coveted office.

The Electoral College for presidential polls comprises members of both houses of parliament – the National Assembly and the Senate – as well as legislators of all four provincial assemblies. The PTI is set to make its governments at the Centre, Khyber-Pakhtunkwa (K-P) and Punjab.



The party is also likely to be part of the ruling coalition in Balochistan while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will be ruling Sindh. However, except for K-P where it has comfortable majority, the PTI will be forming other governments with the support of smaller parties.

In this situation, it would be the next daunting challenge for the PTI to get its candidate elected to the prestigious office as it will be forming government at the Centre and Punjab with a very thin margin.



Delay in presidential poll

Incumbent President Mamnoon Hussain took oath on September 9, 2013 and his five-year term is set to expire on September 8. According to Clause 4 of Article 41 of the Constitution, which deals with matters related to presidential election, “Election to the office of president shall be held not earlier than 60 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of term of the president in office.”

This means the election for new president was due by August 8. However, the Constitution explains that in case the assemblies are not functioning, the presidential poll will be held within 30 days after the general election which was held this year on July 25.

Going by the constitutional provision, the presidential poll is due on August 23. However, it is unlikely that this deadline also could be met, since the ECP has to issue schedule for the president’s election at least 15 days before the polling day.

Sources in the ECP said the commission is likely to issue this schedule next week and election of the president might suffer delay of a week or so from the stipulated time period.

The ECP officials said the delay was due to the pressing circumstances which were beyond their control. “In such a situation, there is a clause in the Constitution which condones this delay,” said an official, while referring to the Clause 254 of the Constitution. Incumbent president continues in office till his successor takes oath. This will give President Hussain a few extra days in office.