President Arif Alvi proposed November 6, 2023, as the date for the general elections in Pakistan on Wednesday.
President Arif Alvi noted in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner that the National Assembly was dissolved on the Prime Minister’s advice on August 9, 2023, and that the Constitution of Pakistan empowers the president to announce a date for general election “not later than ninety days from the date of the dissolution (of assembly),” implying that elections should be held by the eighty-ninth day of the date of dissolution of Assembly, i.e. Monday, November 06, 2023.
The declaration is the result of a months-long argument over whether the President or the Election Commission has the authority to set election dates.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) respects President Arif Alvi, but there is no need for consultation on the election date as per the Election Amendment Act, The president can announce the election date when the assembly is dissolved by the presidency, but the ECP is autonomous.
The Ministry of Law also informed President Arif Alvi last week that he has no responsibility in announcing the date for general elections “following the amendment to the Elections Act.”
The law ministry responded to President Arif Alvi’s letter, asking input on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) assertion that “only it had the authority to decide the election date.”
According to the letter, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to announce the date of the election.
