By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected the Senate’s resolution to postpone the general elections scheduled for February 8, saying that it is not advisable to do so “at this stage”.
In a letter to the Senate Secretariat, the ECP said that it had discussed the resolution, which was passed by a thin majority of 11 out of 14 senators present on January 5, during a commission meeting.
The ECP said that the election date was decided in consultation with President Arif Alvi and that it had made all the necessary arrangements for the conduct of the polls, including issuing directives to the caretaker federal and provincial governments for beefing up security and providing a congenial environment.
The ECP also said that it had submitted a commitment to the Supreme Court in this regard and that it had held general elections and local government elections in the winter season in the past.
“Likewise, it would not be out of place to mention here that in the past general elections and local government elections have been held in the winter season,” the latter said.
“Sequel to the above-narrated facts, it will not be advisable for the Commission to postpone General Elections 2024 at this stage.”
The letter was shared by caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on X, who said: “The ECP is committed to holding polls on Thursday, Feb 8 and so are the [caretaker] federal and provincial governments”.
The Senate’s resolution, which was moved by independent Senator Dilawar Khan without being on the agenda, sought to delay the elections over security and inclement weather concerns.
However, the resolution was opposed by senators belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), who also requisitioned a session to discuss the timely conduct of free and fair polls.
Dilawar Khan, also the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, wrote a letter to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday, urging him to intervene and ensure the postponement of the elections.
Two more resolutions seeking to delay the polls have also been submitted to the Senate secretariat over the past few days. The resolutions were submitted by independent senators Hidayatullah and Hilalur Rehman, who cited the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the recent spike in violence in Balochistan as reasons for their demand.
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