President of Pakistan Arif Alvi has given the date of April 9, 2023, for the general elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies.
President of Pakistan Arif Alvi has given the date of April 9, 2023, for the general elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies.
According to the announcement issued by the press wing of the President's House, the President of Pakistan has announced the date of the elections of the two provincial assemblies under clause 57 (one) of the Election Act and under clause 57 (two) the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct the elections. Ordered.
In his letter written to the Chief Election Commissioner, the President of Pakistan said that under his oath, he is responsible for the defense and protection of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In the letter, he further said that in the absence of any court order, he is not aware of any obstacle under the Election Act 2017 that prevents him from announcing the date of the election after consultation with the Election Commission.
Moreover, they have felt that they should fulfill their constitutional responsibility and announce the date of the election in order to stop this unconstitutional act, which requires the election to be held within ninety days.
In a letter written recently, President Arif Alvi told the Chief Election Commissioner that since his February 8 letter, there have been some important developments such as the judgment of the Supreme Court's most recent observations and the Lahore High Court.
After the letter, the Election Commission of Pakistan, in its reply to President Arif Alvi, apologized for giving the date of the elections and giving consultations. Secretary Election Commission Umar Hameed has said in his letter written on Sunday that the Election Commission is well aware of its constitutional responsibilities.
In his letter written in response to the letter of the President of Pakistan, he said that after the dissolution of the provincial assemblies, the Election Commission contacted the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but they have not yet given the date of the elections.
Under the constitution, the Election Commission does not have the authority to give the date of elections in case of dissolution of the assembly.
He said that the Election Commission respects the office of the President of the country but since the issue of the date of the elections is in the court, it cannot consult the office of the President of Pakistan on the issue of the election.
The President expressed his displeasure at not receiving a response from the Election Commission in his first letter and said: 'He was anxiously waiting for the Commission to realize its constitutional duties. I am very disappointed with the regrettable attitude of the Election Commission on this important issue.
He said that he had invited the Chief Election Commissioner for an emergency meeting on February 20, 2023, at the President's House to consult on the election, realizing his constitutional responsibility to protect and defend the Constitution.
In the reply letter, the Election Commissioner had indicated the participation of the President in the meeting called on February 20 and said that the Election Commission members and a senior meeting will take place in the President's House.
In response to the President's letter, the Chief Election Commissioner said in his letter that under Article 218-3 of the Constitution, it is the constitutional duty of the Election Commission to conduct elections.
