ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday night issued the schedule for the general polls, set to take place on February 8, 2024, following the Supreme Court’s order .
Commencing in four days on December 19, the polling process initiates as the returning officer (RO) announces a public notice, coinciding with the ECP’s resumption of training for ROs and district returning officers (DROs).
This election program encompasses the reserved seats for women and non-Muslims across the national and four provincial assemblies: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
Aligned with the Supreme Court’s instructions, the commission released the election timetable late at night.
Encountering a challenge to the polling process, the Lahore High Court (LHC) suspended the commission’s notification regarding the appointment of ROs and DROs from the executive branch, contrary to the SC’s directives.
Responding to the LHC’s ruling, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja convened with senior officials to ensure adherence to the established plan.
After thorough discussions, the commission petitioned the top court to nullify the LHC’s ruling. The SC acknowledged and accepted the plea, reinstating the process on its intended course.
Expressing concerns about potential election delays, political parties emphasized the crucial nature of upholding democracy by conducting the polls on February 8.
In a recent statement, the ECP refuted the PTI’s claims suggesting probable postponement of the upcoming general elections, asserting that all necessary preparations had been completed.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
