ECP prepared to hold general elections by October: sources

Electoral watchdog sources say work completed for all constituencies' national, provincial seats

ISLAMABAD:

Sources from to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday said that the commission is "prepared" to conduct general elections by October.

They said that the ECP has completed the work of delimitation of constituencies and eliminated any objections regarding them. “Work has been completed in all constituencies for all national and provincial seats,” the sources added.

Earlier the commission had assured the Supreme Court that it would complete constituencies' delimitations by August 4 (today).

According to the sources, the ECP will publish the voter and constituencies list by the end of this month.

General elections ‘on time’

Last week, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) -- which mostly comprises political parties in the ruling coalition, including the PML-N -- declared that the next general elections would be held on its scheduled time next year.

Read PTI warned against ECP protests

“The general elections will be held on time and the current government will complete its term,” said PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

On the other hand, PTI chief Imran Khan emphasised that the only way to end the current political crisis in the country was to hold immediate clean and transparent elections.

"There is only one way [to rid the country of political instability] … free and fair election. When they were removing me, I had announced general elections, but courts overturned my decision. I still believe it was the right call," the former premier had said.