President Dr. Arif Alvi proposed to hold general elections on November 6, 2023. President Arif Alvi has sent a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja suggesting this date. In the letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, he said that the President has the authority to call for general elections within 90 days.
The President of the State in his letter said that he dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of the Prime Minister on August 9. Under Article 48(5) of the Constitution, the President has the authority to hold general elections in the Assembly within 90 days from the date of dissolution. According to Article 48(5), the General Elections for the National Assembly should be held on the 89th day after the date of dissolution of the National Assembly i.e. Monday 6th November 2023.
Arif Alvi said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja that the Chief Election Commissioner was invited for a meeting in order to fulfill the constitutional responsibility, so that the method of implementation of the constitution and its orders can be devised. In response, the Election Commissioner took the opposite position that it is the Election Commission’s authority.
He said that after the publication of the census in August, the process of constituencies is still going on and it is a mandatory condition under Article 51(5) of the Constitution and Section 17 of the Election Act. Pakistan has the same opinion.
Arif Alvi said that in order to strengthen the federation, it is agreed that the general elections of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies should be held on the same day. The Election Commission should follow the constitutional and legal measures to hold free and fair elections.
The letter further stated that the Election Commission is responsible to observe all the constitutional and legal measures stipulated under Article 51, 218, 219, 220 and the Elections Act 2017 for conducting free and fair elections, all points being considered. Keeping in view the Election Commission in consultation with the Provincial Governments and political parties under the relevant provisions of the Constitution and in view of the fact that some cases are already under hearing, take guidance from the Supreme Judiciary to hold elections in the National and Provincial Assemblies on the same day. do
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**Interview with Dr. Amina Khan, Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Khan. With the general elections in Pakistan now rescheduled to February 8, 2024, what led to this change from the initial plan to hold elections on November 6, 2023?
**Dr. Khan:** Thank you for having me. The change in the election date primarily stems from a combination of legal and political considerations. President Dr. Arif Alvi had indeed proposed November 6, 2023, as the date for the elections based on the authority granted by the Constitution. However, various issues, including debates about the electoral process, delineation of constituencies, and political maneuvering among parties, led to delays.
**Interviewer:** What were the procedural elements involved in this decision-making process?
**Dr. Khan:** Under Article 48(5) of the Pakistani Constitution, the President is empowered to call for elections within 90 days of the National Assembly’s dissolution—in this case, August 9, when it was dissolved on the Prime Minister’s advice. However, the Chief Election Commissioner and election body raised concerns regarding logistics and readiness for fair and transparent elections, which contributed to extending the timeline to February 2024.
**Interviewer:** How is this delay likely to impact the political landscape and party campaigns leading up to the elections?
**Dr. Khan:** The delay could significantly alter party strategies and dynamics. Political parties may use this extra time to solidify their platforms, engage more with their constituencies, and perhaps adjust to changing public sentiments. On the flip side, it can also create frustrations among voters who are eager for change and may be impacted by the ongoing economic challenges.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what can be expected from the upcoming elections in terms of voter turnout and party competition?
**Dr. Khan:** Given the current political climate, voter turnout could be quite significant as many citizens are deeply engaged and concerned about the country’s direction. We can expect intense competition among major parties, with individuals and coalitions likely trying to rally support based on addressing pressing issues like the economy, security, and governance.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Khan, for your insights. It seems the road to the elections is fraught with both challenges and opportunities.
**Dr. Khan:** Absolutely, and I believe we’ll see a very dynamic and critical election period ahead. Thank you for having me!
