Through a notification, the Election Commission of Pakistan has announced October 8 as the election date for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The Notification Read:
“In pursuance of [the] dissolution of [the] Provincial Assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on 18th January 2023, order dated 1st March 2023 passed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Suo Motu Case No. [1] of 2023, Constitution[al] Petition No. [1] & 2 of 2023 and appointment of … date for the conduct of general elections to the Provincial Assemblies of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa by the Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as 8th October 2023, the Election Commission of Pakistan now notifies 8th October 2023 as [the] poll[s] date for the General Elections to the Provincial Assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.”
It further added:
“The Election Programme for election[s] under Section 57(2) of the Elections Act, 2017 will be issued in due course of time.”
K-P Governor Haji Ghulam Ali also suggested October 8 as the election date for the K-P Assembly and conveyed this through a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
The letter mentioned the worsening law and order situation in the province.
Last Wednesday, the ECP postponed the election in Punjab until October 8 due to security threats, lack of funds, and inability to provide a fair playing field for all political parties.
However, the PTI, which had dissolved its government in both provinces to pressure the ruling coalition for early elections, challenged the ECP’s decision in the Supreme Court.
PTI STATEMENT ON ECP DECISION- OCTOBER 8
The PTI stated that the ECP’s decision to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections was unconstitutional and violated an order from the Supreme Court.
The party filed a petition in the Supreme Court, claiming that the case was of public importance as it pertained to the enforcement of the fundamental rights of millions of people in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial Remarks
Earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the ECP did not have the authority to delay the Punjab Assembly elections.
A larger bench comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail heard the case.
Also, The PTI will challenge the ECP’s decision to hold elections in K-P in the Supreme Court.
