The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the elections in Punjab that were scheduled on April 30. The provincial elections will be held on October 8, according to the notification.
The notification has stated that all five members of the ECP, after a detailed meeting, had decided that elections will be held on October 8 instead of April 30.
It further added that a new schedule for elections will be announced later.
The notification of ECP is signed by the CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and other four members including Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana, Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Justice (R) Ikramullah Khan.
On the other side, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called it as a violation of Article 6 of the constitution.
PTI leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the ECP has “deviated” from the date recommended by the Supreme Court. He said that the ECP was violating law.
PTI leader said that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other members of ECP will be brought to courts over this violation of the constitution.
He also said that they will stand with Supreme Court and will announce their strategy after consultation.
It is also pertinent to mention that the Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, in his speech before the joint session of the parliament, said that elections should be held collectively across the country. he had raised concerns over the elections in Punjab and KP before the National Assembly.
