The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has embarked on a crucial phase of consultations by inviting the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to individual meetings on Monday. The objective is to chart out an effective electoral roadmap for the upcoming general elections.
In correspondence addressed to MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and JI emir Sirajul Haq, the ECP extended an invitation to the leaders to engage in discussions centred around crucial areas of the electoral process:
- Delimitation of constituencies
- Upgradation of electoral rolls
- Conduct of general elections
- Schedule of election
- Other related matters
The notices underscored the ECP’s constitutional responsibility to facilitate and manage elections with integrity, fairness, and adherence to the law, while also preventing corrupt practices.
Amidst this, MQM-P held a coordination committee meeting and put forth a resolute stance, asserting that “transparent elections are unattainable without new delimitation.” The party vowed to utilize constitutional and legal avenues to ensure the implementation of equitable and updated delimitation.
Simultaneously, the ECP is set to convene a high-level meeting on Tuesday involving police chiefs, chief secretaries, and election commissioners from all four provinces. The focus of this meeting will be the comprehensive preparation of security arrangements and administrative groundwork for the upcoming elections.
As part of its ongoing consultations with major political parties, the ECP has already engaged with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and PTI. Meetings with PML-N and PPP are also scheduled, with the ECP working diligently to align electoral processes. The emphasis is on efficient delimitation and concurrent updates to electoral rolls to expedite preparations for potential elections in February next year.
The ECP’s commitment to simultaneous delimitation and electoral roll updates offers a glimmer of hope for timely polls and constitutional adherence, even in the face of the latest digital census.
This strategic approach by the ECP is poised to ensure a functional electoral college for the Senate before the half-term ends in March. The commission’s spokesperson has affirmed that the simultaneous execution of delimitation and electoral roll updates will prevent any delays typically linked to separate sequential processes.
Meanwhile, the PPP remains steadfast in its demand for elections in strict accordance with the Constitution. Khursheed Shah, a PPP leader, reiterated the party’s commitment to the 90-day timeline for elections after the dissolution of the National Assembly, promising that the party would present its stance during ECP discussions. Further deliberations are anticipated following the ECP meeting and developments in the days ahead.
