The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday clarified that the electoral body has the complete capacity to hold general elections as per the law of the country.
This comes after there were reports stating that the electoral body would need six months before it can hold elections, a statement which was later denied by the ECP.
“ECP is fully aware of its constitutional and legal responsibilities and it is fulfilling as well as per past practice,” the commission said in a clarification on statements of politicians.
It asked political leaders to avoid irrelevant criticism on ECP and assured that the ECP is fully committed to complete its legal tasks, given in the constitution of the country.
President Arif Alvi, a day earlier, asked the ECP to propose dates for the next general elections, which will be held within 90 days following the dissolution of the National Assembly.
“In a letter dated April 5, 2022 addressed to ECP, the President’s Secretariat asked to propose date(s) for holding general elections within 90 days from the date of dissolution of the National Assembly i.e., April 3, 2022, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan,” the President House said in a statement.
The letter mentioned that ECP has been conveyed that clause 5 (A) of the Article 48 and clause 2 of Article 224 of the Constitution provide that the President shall appoint a date, not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution of the National Assembly, for holding general elections to the National Assembly.
“In order to carry out the mandate of the Constitution of announcing the date of general elections, consultation with the Election Commission is required under Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017,” the letter stated.
