Another crisis awaits : Political stakeholders not certain about general election timeline
With the constitutional term’s expiry lingering on the horizon, sooner or later political parties old and new will go into election mode; to decide who will be in the country’s driving seat for the next five years.
Presently, it remains to be seen whether the current coalition government will step into the election arena as a united front, as it has been since the inception of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), or if they will turn into foes, seeking new allies like the Jehangir Tareen led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). However, before old alliances are severed and new ties are formed, the elephant in the room, which is the timing of the general elections needs to be addressed - especially in light of the delay in the election of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
In this regard, Malik Ahmad Khan, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Defence and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), while talking to The Express Tribune, said that the PML-N wants elections to be on time. Khan’s statement implies that his party is in favour of elections happening either in October or November - which is the constitutionally mandated timeline depending on whether the National Assembly is dissolved or completes its five-year term. “However, if elections are not held when they are due, it will be because of the new census,” revealed Khan, further adding that about 4 months would be required to form new constituencies as per the results of the new census.
While the PML-N leader’s conflicting statements regarding the fate of the elections cast further doubt about them taking place this year, he clarified that the census process was mandatory and legal and that “no one could raise any objections about it.” On the other hand, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs, Qamar Zaman Kaira, was of the view that there were no ifs and buts about holding elections on time. “The PPP and PML-N have already agreed to hold elections on time and our party will not accept any delay in the elections,” informed Kaira.
Responding to a question regarding an alliance with the PML-N or any other party in the elections, whenever they take place, Kaira said that the PPP did not plan on making any electoral alliances and would contest individually. Whereas, Khan, the SAPM on Defence, responding to the same question, said, “the decision regarding electoral alliances will be taken closer to election time.” With the PML-N leader not shutting down the idea of seat adjustments for the general election, The Express Tribune, asked the Spokesperson of the IPP, Firdous Ashiq Awan, if her party, which is comprised of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s members, would be willing to form any alliances to make a mark on the political landscape.
“Why should we take the baggage of the PML-N or the coalition government? Ours is a new party, with a new vision, and we will step into the electoral field on our own might,” Awan retorted. When asked if the IPP had a stance on the timeline for elections, she said that the party was expecting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold general elections within the constitutionally stipulated time frame. “However, if there is a delay, we will respond in due time.”
The Express Tribune also asked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Spokesperson, Raoof Hassan, regarding the party’s stance on general elections and if they would form any alliances in the near future. “It is the party’s opinion to refrain from commenting on issues pertaining to the election,” clarified Hassan in reply.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2023.