President Proposes General Election Date Amid Constitutional Controversy

President Dr. Arif Alvi has suggested November 6 as the date for Pakistan’s upcoming general elections. The proposal was made in a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

The president’s recommendation stems from the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9, which followed the advice of former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Citing Article 48(5) of the Constitution, President Alvi argued that this article “empowers and mandates the president ‘to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general election to the Assembly.'”

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

According to President Alvi, in accordance with Article 48(), the general election to the National Assembly should take place by the 89th day following the dissolution, which translates to Monday, November 6, 2023.

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However, the Chief Election Commissioner expressed a different viewpoint, asserting that the election date announcement was within the domain of the Election Commission. He explained that the delimitation of constituencies, a mandatory requirement stipulated by Article 51(5) of the Constitution and section 17 of the Elections Act, 2017, was still in progress following the publication of the last census on August 7, 2023.

President Alvi revealed that the federal law ministry shared a similar perspective with the CEC, and all four provincial governments also believed that the authority to announce the election date rested with the Election Commission. Additionally, there was a consensus that to strengthen national unity, harmony among provinces, and cost-saving measures, general elections to both the National Assembly and provincial assemblies should be held on the same day.

President Alvi emphasized that the Election Commission of Pakistan should adhere to all constitutional and legal procedures specified under Articles 51, 218, 219, 220, and the Elections Act, 2017, to ensure the organization and conduct of free and fair elections. He concluded by suggesting that the Election Commission, in consultation with provincial governments and political parties, may seek guidance from the superior judiciary, especially given that some of these matters are currently under judicial review, for the announcement of a single date for the general elections to the national and provincial assemblies.