The United States and the United Kingdom have called on Pakistan to hold timely, free and fair elections in accordance with the law.
The US State Department spokesperson said that the US urges Pakistan to hold “timely, free, and fair elections, and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.”
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The UK High Commissioner to Pakistan also stressed the need for free, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections.
The calls for timely elections come after President Arif Alvi suggested November 6 as the cut-off date for general elections. Alvi said that the elections should be held no later than November 6, which is the 89th day since the dissolution of the National Assembly.
However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that it cannot hold elections without holding fresh delimitations in accordance with the new census.
The date of elections in Pakistan remains a contentious matter, and it is unclear when the polls will be held.
Here are some additional details of Elections in Pakistan:
- President Alvi suggested the November 6 date based on Article 48(5) of the Constitution, which gives him the authority to appoint a date for elections not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution of the assemblies.
- The ECP has said that it needs at least 75 days to conduct elections, and that it cannot hold polls without fresh delimitations.
- The new census was approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) days before the dissolution of the assemblies. This means that the delimitations will not be completed in time for elections to be held in November.
- The delay in elections is likely to be a major issue in the upcoming polls. The opposition parties have accused the government of trying to delay the elections in order to stay in power.
It remains to be seen when the next elections in Pakistan will be held. However, the calls from the US and UK for timely elections are a reminder of the importance of free and fair elections in a democracy.