February 8 Elections
ISLAMABAD: The government has been ordered by the Supreme Court to ensure the conduct of general elections on February 8. This decision follows unanimous agreement between President Arif Alvi and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja during a meeting at the President’s House, where they settled on the aforementioned date.
A three-member bench, consisting of CJP Isa, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, heard the case during the hearing of multiple pleas seeking timely elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.
The court’s order notes that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notification for the general election date, and no party has objected to the election date of February 8. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa inquired if anyone in the courtroom, as well as Attorney-General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, had any objections to the election date, and all replied in the negative.
CJP Isa emphasized, “After all the requirements are fulfilled, the Election Commission should announce the election schedule,” and confidently stated, “Elections will definitely be held on February 8, God willing.”
After issuing the order, the chief justice warned that the media would be held accountable for violating the Constitution if it created doubts about the elections. He stated, “If a channel runs a ticker casting doubts on the conduct of elections, then there will be action. The ECP will file a complaint to the regulatory body if any media house creates confusion regarding polls. If there is doubt in anyone’s mind, let it be, but do not influence the public.”
CJP Isa expressed his hope that the elections would be peaceful and that parties would refrain from insulting their opponents, and he disposed of the petitions.
Earlier, the AGP informed the court that the president had given the date following his meeting with CEC Raja, and a notification in this regard had been issued. The chief justice commented that all the parties and the Election Commission had unanimously agreed on the date.
In the order, the chief justice also inserted Article 48 Clause 5 and Section 57 (1) of the Election Act. The Supreme Court emphasized that every institution, including the ECP and the president, is bound to implement the Constitution, and there are serious consequences for not following the Constitution. The court clarified that the issue of elections was to be resolved between the president and the ECP, and it was unnecessarily brought to the Supreme Court.
The order underscored the importance of constitutional limitations and the responsibilities of constitutional institutions, and it urged all institutions to abide by the Constitution.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court emphasized the seriousness of constitutional violations and the far-reaching effects they can have, expressing hope that all constitutional institutions would act with prudence in the future.
Court Leaves No Room for Ambiguity
During today’s hearing, which occurred in two phases, the Chief Justice instructed the Attorney-General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, to obtain the president’s signature on the minutes of the meeting held with CEC Raja. The minutes previously filed did not have the president’s signature.
After a temporary adjournment of the hearing, Awan submitted the signed meeting minutes to the court, along with three copies. However, the Supreme Court retained the original signed minutes.
The Chief Justice had previously emphasized that the court wanted to eliminate any doubts in the matter, as it had not received any communication from the President House.
The Chief Justice stressed that the court aimed to remove any “grey areas” and ensure there was no “ambiguity” on this matter.
He stated, “Tomorrow, no party should say that they were not involved in the consultation process. If anyone wants to come from the President House, we will welcome him.”
On Thursday, CJP Isa directed the ECP to consult with President Alvi regarding finalizing the election date and to inform the court.
Following the directives of the Supreme Court, CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja visited the president and together, they unanimously agreed to hold general elections in the country on February 8, 2024. It’s important to note that the pleas regarding the timely conduct of polls were submitted by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and others.
