President Dr Arif Alvi took the first step towards general elections as he announced the date for the ballot on November 6. This, he says, was mandatory on him in exercise of Article 48(5) of the Constitution, wherein elections are to be held not later than 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly. The head of state in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner has also asked him to consult all the provincial assemblies, so that polls countrywide could be held on the same day. This move has graduated the electioneering campaign and put the ball in the electoral watchdog’s court. This is where the dilemma rests as there are two simultaneous opinions on the holding of elections, with the ECP insisting that under an act of law following the publication of last census results on August 7, delimitation of constituencies is necessitated under Article 51(5) of the Constitution and Section-17 of the Elections Act, 2017. While both are constitutional dictums, it remains to be seen what headway is made and how amicable and law-abiding is the outcome.
The Election Commission has already kick-started the delimitation process, and it hopes that the same will be completed by January 2023. If that is the case, then the nation can go to polls by February next year. The president’s dictum, nonetheless, has dispelled some serious assumptions that were making rounds in the country pertaining to a difference of opinion between various stakeholders of the state. At the same time, the president by pronouncing the decision has put to rest misgivings between him and the ECP, and his desire for a consensus with provinces is appreciated.
The country is in a deep political crisis, and the only way out is to abide by the constitution. While elections are a source of stability as the people’s verdict will be sought, it is incumbent upon all political parties as well as the organs of the state to be on the same page, and desist from taking positions that may cause further confusion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2023.
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