Delay looms large on general elections

The possibility of delay looms large on holding the next general elections as the Ministry of Finance has failed to release funds fo the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) despite repeated reminders, resulting in the summoning of the finance secretary by the ECP as well as prompting the poll body to write to the prime minister, it emerged on Monday.

Although the Supreme Court had forbidden any discussion regarding a delay in holding elections on February 8 next year, it was revealed today that the ECP summoned the finance secretary before the commission to determine reasons for delaying the fund release as it was earlier allocated in the budget.

“The finance ministry has failed to release funds for the general elections and that is why the finance secretary has been summoned before the commission today (Monday)”, ECP officials shared with The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

Sources in ECP revealed that a total of Rs42 billion was allocated for holding general elections in this year’s budget but the finance ministry only released Rs10 billion so far. They further added that the remaining amount has been delayed without any explanation.

The ECP officials maintained that the poll body immediately needs Rs17 billion to hold general elections on February 8, 2024. Repeatedly, they said, the finance ministry was approached for releasing the funds but to no avail.

The officials further commented that a written letter was sent to the finance ministry but, the commission has not yet received any 'positive response' from the ministry, which has compelled them to summon the secretary.

Subsequently, “Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has decided to apprise the prime minister about the situation,” sources in ECP shared and added: “A letter would be written to the prime minister today in this regard.”

Read ECP ahead of its schedule for elections, says CEC

It is important to note here that this is not the first time a debate has been triggered about a possible delay in holding general elections. The matter has remained in the spotlight time and again ever since the dissolution of the assembly just three days before the completion of its five-year term by the previous government.

Previously, the polls were delayed due to the lack of funds and the security situation. The general elections have already been delayed beyond the 90-day constitutional period and now once again, the polls seem to be facing a further delay due to the delay in releasing the required funds.

Shocking as it may seem, the country has not only faced a delay in the general elections but, polls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have been held within the 90-day constitutional period.

It all started after the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief decided to dissolve PTI governments in both provinces in January this year. PTI had envisaged that the move would force the then-PMLN-led coalition government in the centre to go for snap polls but it did not lead to that.

Later on, the matter was taken up before the SC. However, even now the matter remains pending to date while the interim governments have continued to function beyond the three-month constitutional limit.

Among other things, the tussle between the ECP and President Arif Alvi also contributed to the polls’ controversy as both sides opined that it was solely their prerogative to announce the polls’ date.

Once again, the top court had to intervene and direct the ECP to meet the president and announce the polls’ date. It was after this that the February 8 date was announced.