Elections will be held on Feb 11, ECP tells SC

Islamabad: (Suno News) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that general elections in the country will be held on February 11, 2024.

Sajeel Swati, lawyer for the ECP, told the apex court that the delimitation process would be completed by November 30, adding that elections would be held 54 days after that.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, heard the pleas seeking an announcement of the election date.

Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and Justice Athar Minallah were also part of the bench that heard the pleas filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and others.

During the hearing, the CJP sought a clear stance on general elections to which the ECP lawyer told him that there was a 54-day schedule after the completion of the delimitation process on November 30, 2023.

He further told the court that all arrangements including the delimitation of constituencies would be completed by November 29, adding that the final list of constituencies would be published on December 5.

“The electoral body has been looking to hold polls on Sunday for the convenience of the public. Therefore, we have decided to hold elections on February 11,” he said.

The CJP questioned the ECP lawyer whether President Arif Alvi had been taken on board on the issue of the poll date.

Swati told the CJP that the ECP was not bound to consult the president. His response, however, triggered an angry reaction from the CJP

“Both the president and the ECP are Pakistanis. Why is the ECP hesitant to consult the president?” the CJP questioned and ordered the ECP to discuss the matter with the president that day and report back to the court.

“The apex court will ensure elections on the given date. Once the process is final, then no one can change it,” the CJP remarked.