[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) expressed serious reservations on Tuesday about holding Punjab Assembly elections on May 14, warning that “anarchy and chaos” could erupt in the country if its polling schedule is not followed.
On April 4, a three-judge bench led by the chief justice and comprised of Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan declared the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone the election for the Punjab Assembly to October 8 as “unconstitutional” and ordered the province to hold elections on May 14.
The ECP postponed the provincial assembly election in the politically vital Punjab province by more than five months on March 22, citing a deteriorating security situation in the cash-strapped country.
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In its report submitted to the Supreme Court in the same case earlier today, the electoral body said it will not be possible for the ECP to ensure “honest, just, fair and peaceful election to the provincial Assembly of Punjab” in view of the charged political environment and reports by relevant stake holders including security agencies and the provincial government.
“In view of the […] detailed deliberation and considering the circumstances, reports, briefings and material brought before it, by the Provincial Governments, Ministries of Defense and Interior and the Intelligence Agencies, is of sanguine view that in the present charged political environment, and resultant volatile law and order situation, cross border terrorism, insurgencies, potential threats to the leaders and consequent lack of foolproof security, non-provision of troops in a static mode coupled with lack of requisite funds , it will not be possible for the Commission to ensure honest, just ,fair and peaceful election to the provincial Assembly of Punjab,” read the ECP report.
Furthermore, if the police are not supplemented in a static mode by the army and other law enforcement agencies, the security of voters, electoral staff, and the general public will be jeopardised, it added.
“… the Commission is obligated to ensure that a conducive environment exists and that it is capable of providing a level playing field to the contesting candidates and political parties, in addition to ensuring foolproof security for the voters, who are the primary stake holders, as well as the polling staff and the general public.”
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The electoral body stated that the 90-day deadline specified in Article 224(2) of the Constitution is a constitutional requirement, as stated by the Supreme Court in its order dated 31-03-2023. “However, Article 218(3) of the Constitution requires the Commission to organise and conduct the Elections to ensure that the standards of honesty, justice, and fairness are fully met and not compromised in any way.” “In the absence of a conducive environment and foolproof security, one constitutional imperative of 90 days will appear to be at the expense of another constitutional imperative, which apparently was not the intention of the framers of the Constitution,” the ECP responded.
It went on to say that the ECP proposed the date of October 8, 2023, as the poll date primarily because of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) being conducted in the Kacha areas bordering Sindh and Punjab, and that these IBOs have been supported by the Pakistan Army, the Punjab Rangers, and the Sindh Rangers.
According to the ECP, IBOs will take at least 4 – 5 months to complete and will hopefully ensure that the TTP and other terrorist organisations are effectively neutralised.
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As previously stated, the commission is mindful that there can be no compromise on the security and safety of voters, polling staff, and the general public.
It maintained that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s responsibility is not only to conduct elections, but also to ensure that those elections are free, fair, and transparent, allowing voters to vote freely, without fear, and peacefully.
“It is re-iterated that the poll date of 8th October, 2023, as announced earlier, is in keeping with ground realities, and it is also believed that if this itinerary is not followed, it may lead to anarchy and chaos in our country, the responsibility of which ECP cannot withstand,” it warned.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
