The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has denied recent reports suggesting a delay in the upcoming general elections, labeling them as “baseless and misleading.”
An ECP spokesperson refuted claims that the commission had not prepared the electoral lists yet, asserting that such information was entirely false. The ECP announced its intention to involve the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to identify and take legal action against those responsible for spreading these alleged “lies.”
To support its position, the ECP spokesperson mentioned that the final updated electoral rolls, crucial for the upcoming elections, were actively being printed at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
Furthermore, the delivery of these rolls had already commenced in various districts. The announcement of the election date, set for February 8, had been agreed upon by the ECP and President Dr. Arif Alvi following Supreme Court intervention earlier in the month.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasized the importance of maturity and understanding among all institutions involved. The ECP was reportedly scheduled to release the final list of constituencies based on the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023 ahead of the initially planned date.
The spokesperson also shared that objections related to new constituencies for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures had been addressed and concluded on November 22. The ECP had actively worked on these objections since November 1, hearing a total of 1,324 objections from across the country.
The ECP has taken a strong stance against rumors of election delay, actively refuting them and expressing its commitment to ensuring the electoral process proceeds as scheduled. The commission’s efforts in addressing objections and preparing the necessary electoral rolls highlight its dedication to conducting the upcoming general elections based on the country’s first-ever digital census.
