ISLAMABAD
\nA meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, decided to shorten the duration of the delimitation of constituencies and declared that the delimitation process would be completed by November 30, 2023.
\n\u201cThe objective of shortening the duration of the delimitation process is to hold elections as soon as possible,\u201d the meeting said. \u201cKeeping this date in mind, the election schedule will also be announced,\u201d it added.
\n\u201cThe ECP shortened the duration of the delimitation process in view of the recommendations of the political parties,\u201d it stated. Earlier on August 31, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said that the delimitation process would be completed by December 14, 2023.
\nHe stated this while holding meetings with delegations of the Awami National Party (ANP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)and Balochistan National Party (BNP) in Islamabad. \u201cThe ECP intends to further reduce the duration of the delimitation process and will announce the election schedule immediately thereafter,\u201d he had said.
\nOn August 30, the ECP assured the delegation of Awami National Party (ANP) that general elections would be held in February 2024. The ECP held consultations with the political parties on the electoral process in the country.
\nBesides ANP, a delegation of the Balochistan Awami Party (BNP) also met the CEC and ECP members. Consultations were also held with the delegations of both parties on the roadmap for upcoming elections.
\nThe ECP also held consultations with the delegations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Pakistan People\u2019s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP).
\nGDA urges suspension of Sindh LGs The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) delegation, during their meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday in Islamabad, pressed for the suspension of Sindh Local Governments (LG) and the installation of administrators to ensure transparency in the upcoming general elections.
\nDuring a consultative meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, the delegation urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to suspend Sindh Local Governments (LG) and appoint administrators to ensure transparency in the upcoming general elections.
\nThe GDA delegation emphasized the importance of adhering to the Election Commission\u2019s directives for transferring and appointing provincial officers. They noted that despite the Chief Election Commissioner\u2019s letters to the Caretaker Chief Ministers, the transfers have not been carried out.
\nThey also proposed the appointment of unbiased Returning Officers, and if feasible, District Election Commissioners and Officers from Federal Services could assume the role of Returning Officers. After completing all these arrangements, the Election Schedule should be announced.
\nThe delegation expressed unwavering support for the Election Commission\u2019s fresh delimitation plan, emphasizing that a transparent election process hinges on proper delimitation. Consequently, the delimitation should align with the latest census data, and elections should follow the updated boundaries. They also recommended revising the electoral rolls to guarantee accurate and up-to-date voter information.
\nSpeaking on the occasion, the Chief Election Commissioner affirmed that conducting transparent elections within the bounds of the constitution and the law is the foremost duty of the Election Commission.
\nHe recognized the GDA\u2019s recommendations and pledged that the Election Commission would thoroughly evaluate these proposals and make decisions in full compliance with the constitution and the law.
\nFurthermore, he provided assurance that the delimitation process would be conducted transparently. The Chief Election Commissioner conveyed to the delegation that the Election Commission has scheduled a crucial meeting on Friday with various political parties.
\nConsidering the consultations and feedback from these parties, the Election Commission will proceed to announce the election schedule. This announcement will follow a further reduction in the duration of the delimitation process.
\nMembers Election Commission, Secretary ECP and other senior officers also attended the meeting. Ms. Fehmida Marza, Dr. Safdar Ali Abbasi, Kashif Nazamani, and Ibn Muhammad represented the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), while Sardar Abdul Rahim and Irfanullah Khan Marwat attended the meeting remotely via video link.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD A meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, decided to shorten the duration of the delimitation of constituencies and declared that the delimitation process would be completed by November 30, 2023. \u201cThe objective of shortening the duration of the delimitation process is to hold elections as soon as possible,\u201d the meeting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":316370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[39],"class_list":{"0":"post-353205","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national","8":"tag-ecp"},"yoast_head":"\n