In accordance with a directive from the Supreme Court (SC), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sent a letter to President Arif Alvi on Thursday, proposing February 11, 2024, as the date for the upcoming general elections.
The letter stated the expectation that the appointment of a date for the elections would be settled, with further information to be provided to the court on November 3, 2023. The ECP, after careful consideration, put forth February 11, 2024, as the suggested polling date for the general elections to both the National and Provincial Assemblies.
During the hearing of petitions advocating for timely elections, the ECP had informed the top court earlier in the day that the general elections would occur on February 11, 2024, following the completion of delimitation on November 30.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, emphasized the importance of finalizing the election date and assured that the Supreme Court would firmly uphold the chosen date.
Following the court’s directive, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and a delegation met with President Arif Alvi to discuss the election date, but sources indicate that a consensus was not reached. Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, is expected to meet with the Chief Election Commissioner to convey the president’s stance on the matter.
