On March 9, a significant joint session of the Parliament is slated to convene for the purpose of conducting the presidential elections, with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presiding over the proceedings. The summoning of this joint session was announced by NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, with the session scheduled to commence promptly at 10:00 am.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has meticulously outlined the timeline and procedural details for the upcoming presidential elections. As per the ECP’s schedule, the polling process is set to take place on March 9, spanning from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The electoral college tasked with facilitating the indirect presidential election consists of members from various political bodies, including the Senate, National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies. Notably, each vote cast by members of the Senate and National Assembly carries the same weightage in the electoral process.
Furthermore, the votes cast by legislators from the provincial assemblies are subject to adjustments to ensure equitable representation among the provinces. This adjustment mechanism allocates each provincial assembly 65 votes, mirroring the minimum membership strength of the Balochistan Assembly.
Of considerable interest are the nominations put forward by the political factions vying for the presidential office. The coalition, which includes PML-N, PPP, PML-Q, MQM-P, IPP, BAP, PML-Zia, and National Party, has endorsed Asif Ali Zardari as its presidential nominee. Conversely, PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) have proposed Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the chief of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, as their candidate.
In terms of parliamentary representation, the coalition currently commands 209 seats out of 336 in the National Assembly. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), collectively hold 104 seats, making them a formidable force in the lower house of Parliament. The dynamics of this electoral process underscore the diverse political landscape and the intricacies involved in the selection of Pakistan’s next president.
