ISLAMABAD
\nIn connection with the President\u2019s announcement over holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The meeting will review the dates announced by the president for holding the elections in both provinces. As per the ECP spokesperson, the electoral watchdog will take any decision as per the law, after receiving the president\u2019s letter.
\nThe development came after President Dr Arif Alvi announced April 9 as the date for holding general elections for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies. The announced the date under section 57(2) of the constitution. In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sultan Sikandar Raja president Arif Alvi said the constitution does not allow to exceed 90 days for holding elections after the dissolution of assemblies and he has taken the oath to defend and protect the constitution.
\nThe letter stated that ECP and governor KP and Punjab are not fulfilling their duties to hold elections within 90 days and the president has announced an election date to avoid violation of the constitution. He said that both the constitutional offices are placing the ball in each other\u2019s court, which is resulting in delay and creating a serious danger to the constitution. President Arif Alvi said that it is ECP\u2019s responsibility to hold the election in 90 days and he started the process of serious consultation on the election date.
\nEarlier in the day, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided against attending the meeting summoned by President Arif Alvi to discuss the dates for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The decision was taken in a consultative meeting of the ECP chaired by Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja, to decide whether to accept or reject the invitation made by Presidency.
\nIt is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved on Jan 18 and Jan 14, respectively, after former prime minister Imran Khan had announced to dissolve assemblies in an attempt to force the government to hold snap polls.
\nAs per the Constitution of Pakistan, polls need to be held for the dissolved assemblies in 90 days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD In connection with the President\u2019s announcement over holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The meeting will review the dates announced by the president for holding the elections in both provinces. As per the ECP spokesperson, the electoral watchdog will take any […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":260977,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-314942","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n