Islamabad : Nov 3 : Following the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) orders , the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued a notification for holding the general elections on February 8,2024.
ECP notification said “Pursuant to the order passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan
dated 2nd November, 2023 in Constitution Petition No. 32 and 36 of 2023 along-with C.M. Appeals No. 118 and 119 of 2023 in Const. Petitions No. Nil/2023 and subsequent meeting with Hon’ble President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan in exercise of its powers under Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017 and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, hereby announces 8th February, 2024 as poll date for the General Elections to the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Provincial Assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
On the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) , the Election Commission of Pakistan team led by its chief , Sultan Sikander Raja , had a consultative session with president Dr Arif Alvi to reach to a consensus to hold general elections in Pakistan on February 8,2024 .
The apex court had ordered to the Election Commission of Pakistan to have meaningful consultation with the president prior to announce the schedule for holding general elections. After getting the orders from the apex court , the Election Commission had an internal meeting in the afternoon to workout a strategy to discuss the president in the issue of a final date to hold elections in Pakistan. During Thursday’s hearing , Sajeel Swati , the counsel for the Election Commission had argued that since the president has no role in announcing the date for holding general elections in the country , his client (ECP) has not discussed the issue with the president..
SCP chief justice , Qazi Faez Isa , overruled the arguments of Mr Sajeel advocate and issued the orders that since the president Dr Arif Alvi is a head of the federation the Election Commission is required to have meaningful consultation with him over the date of holding general elections in the country”. Earlier , the apex court had endorsed the date of February 8 agreed upon by president , Dr Arif Alvi, and ECP to hold upcoming general elections in the country. The court in its order issued after hearing held on Friday directed to all the stakeholders to follow the timeline of February 8 to hold general elections in the country in true spirit.
