The US State Department on September 13 issued a statement urging Pakistan to ensure free, fair, and timely elections in compliance with the law.
The statement comes in response to President Arif Alvi’s recent letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan, where he suggested that elections should be held no later than November 6.
During a press briefing held on Wednesday, US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller was asked to provide comments on President Alvi’s letter to the ECP. During the briefing, Miller emphasized the United States’ consistent stance on democratic processes worldwide.
“As we do with countries around the world, we urge Pakistan to hold free, fair and timely elections, and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,” he stated.
Furthermore, the US official encouraged Pakistani authorities to proceed with the electoral process while adhering to Pakistan’s legal framework.
President Alvi’s Letter
President Arif Alvi’s letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja marks the fourth such communication regarding elections in Pakistan. Previously, the President had proposed election dates for the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
President Alvi had cited Article 48(5) of the Constitution, which he believed empowers him to set an election date within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly.
“In terms of Article 48(5), the general election to the National Assembly should be held by the 89th day of the date of dissolution of the National Assembly, i.e., Monday, 6th day of November 2023,” as mentioned in his recent letter.
Political experts criticized the President’s recent move, deeming it “uncalled for.” They argued that his letter to the CEC created ambiguity, as it lacked a “clear-cut date for the polls” and merely urged the ECP to avoid scheduling elections beyond November 6.
Notably, on February 20, he unilaterally announced April 9 as the election date for these two provinces but later extended the timeframe to any date between April 30 and May 7. This decision was made after the dissolution of the Punjab and KP assemblies on January 14 and January 19, respectively.
ECP can determine election date, Law Ministry
Despite the President’s efforts to engage with the CEC and the Law Ministry on this matter, both entities maintained that the Election Commission possesses the authority to determine the election date, as dictated by Article 51(5) of the Constitution and the electoral laws’ framework. All four provincial governments have also concurred that the ECP should handle this responsibility.
Furthermore, President Alvi stressed the importance of holding general elections for the National Assembly and provincial assemblies on the same day, citing consensus among stakeholders.
He recommended that the ECP consult with provincial governments and political parties, seeking guidance from the superior judiciary if necessary, to determine a single date for these elections while adhering to constitutional and legal procedures outlined in articles 51, 218, 219, 220, and the Elections Act 2017.