In a bold move that has raised eyebrows across Pakistan, President Arif Alvi has announced the date for the upcoming general election, setting it for November 6. This decision comes amidst staunch opposition from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the law ministers of the caretaker setup.
President Alvi justified his decision by invoking Article 48(5) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint a date for the general election not later than ninety days from the date of the dissolution of the National Assembly. According to this article, the election should be held by the eighty-ninth day following the National Assembly’s dissolution, which, in this case, falls on Monday, November 6, 2023.
In a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, President Alvi expressed his commitment to upholding the constitutional mandate. However, it appears that this decision has not been well-received by the ECP, as Raja asserted that determining the election date falls within the domain of the Election Commission, in line with the Constitution and electoral laws.
This clash of interpretations between the President and the Election Commission has been ongoing, with President Alvi previously inviting Raja for a meeting on August 23 to discuss the election date. The Ministry of Law has also sided with the Election Commission in this matter, adding to the complexity of the situation.
President Alvi has now called for broader consultations with provincial governments and political parties, seeking guidance from the judiciary, to establish a single, universally accepted date for the general election to the National and Provincial Assemblies. This move aims to ensure a fair and transparent election process amid the ongoing controversy. The country is now watching closely as this political standoff unfolds, with the fate of the election date hanging in the balance.
