On Monday, the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi announced the date for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial assembly elections to take place on April 9th, 2023. This decision came as a surprise to many, as traditionally the dates for provincial elections are announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
President Arif Alvi makes the big announcement
As per the details, President Arif Alvi wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sultan Sikandar Raja and reminded him of the importance of the constitution. He stated that the constitution does not allow to exceed 90 days time to hold the elections once the assemblies have been dissolved.
Here’s the official tweet announcing the election date
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی نے پنجاب اور خیبر پختونخواہ میں انتخابات کی تاریخ دے دی
صدر مملکت نے الیکشن ایکٹ 2017 ء کے سیکشن 57 ایک کے تحت 9 اپریل بروز اتوار پنجاب اور خیبر پختونخواہ کی صوبائی اسمبلیوں کیلئے انتخابات کا اعلان کردیاhttps://t.co/Gr3iBpm8L2
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 20, 2023
Asking the governor of Punjab and KP and the ECP to stop delaying the elections, Alvi expressed that such actions are causing harm to the constitution of Pakistan.
Also read: The Fatal Blow: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Admits That “Pakistan Has Defaulted”
According to the Constitution of Pakistan, the President has the power to announce the dates for elections if the institutions are not playing their roles responsibly. However, the President’s unilateral decision has raised concerns among opposition parties, who accuse the government of trying to manipulate the electoral process.
A necessary step toward progress?
Despite the political debate, the announcement of the election date is a significant step toward strengthening democracy in Pakistan. The country has a long history of military coups and political instability, and the holding of regular and transparent elections is a crucial component of its democratic process.
The provincial elections in Punjab and KP will be closely watched, as they are expected to have a significant impact on the national political landscape. The PTI currently holds the majority in both provinces, and the opposition will be looking to make gains in the upcoming elections.
What do you think of the President’s decision? Let us know in the comments section below!
