ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi has proposed to hold the general elections on November 06, 2023.
In a letter written to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on September 13, the president said that the National Assembly was dissolved on the advice of the Prime Minister on August 09, 2023 whereas the Article 48(5) of the Constitution empowers and mandates the President “to appoint a date not later than ninety days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general elections to the Assembly.”
Therefore, the general elections to the National Assembly should be held by the 89th day of the date of the dissolution of the National Assembly i.e., November 06, 2023 (Monday).
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا چيف الیکشن کمشنر ، سکندر سلطان راجہ، کے نام خط
صدر مملکت نے 9 اگست کو وزیراعظم کے مشورے پر قومی اسمبلی کو تحلیل کیا، صدر مملکت pic.twitter.com/5W88oKxX62
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 13, 2023
The letter further stated that in an endeavor to fulfill the Constitutional obligations, the CEC was invited for a meeting to devise the modalities of implementing the Constitutional intent and mandate who in reply took a contrary view that as per the scheme of the Constitution and framework of the electoral laws, it was the domain the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and following publication of the last preceding census on August 07, 2023, duly notified delimitation of constituencies was in progress, a mandatory requirement stipulated by the Article 51(5) of the Constitution and Section 17 of the Elections Act, 2017.
Whereas the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice as well as all four interim provincial governments are also of the similar view as that of the ECP.
The letter stated that the Election Commission in consultation with the provincial governments and political parties under the relevant provisions of the Constitution and in view that some of these matters are already subjudice, may seek guidance from the Superior Judiciary for announcement of a single date for the general elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies.
