ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Shah has stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will need to take a decisive position if there is a delay in the general elections. The government had previously announced that the assemblies would be dissolved on August 9, and elections should be held within 90 days. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed concerns about holding elections timely based on the new census.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement about conducting elections based on the latest census has created uncertainty. The ECP has expressed its inability to hold polls based on the new population count within the specified time. It requires a fresh delimitation of constituencies, which could take months.
The Council of Common Interests (CCI) has already approved the results of the 2023 digital census. This approval makes it likely that general elections may not happen this year due to the obligatory delimitation process.
Although some ruling allies, including the PPP, previously opposed holding elections based on the fresh census. The PPP’s silence during the CCI meeting has raised questions. Minister Khursheed Shah expressed his initial belief that elections would take place on time as per the Constitution. However, his concerns arose after recent statements about conducting polls according to the 2023 census.
According to the Constitution, delimitation must occur, which takes around four months. Therefore, the minister does not foresee elections happening on the previously assumed dates of November 12 or 13.
Regarding the appointment of a caretaker prime minister, Shah emphasized the importance of following the Constitution. Typically, committees form to select a candidate, and they have reportedly finalized five names at a committee level. These names exclude major party leaders and active politicians.
Shah also mentioned that an active politician’s appointment could raise fears of bias and rigging. He gave the example of himself, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, and Senator Raza Rabbani, stating that it is natural for them to support their respective parties openly.
