ISLAMABAD: The ECP has pushed back the elections for the Punjab Assembly by more than five months, to Oct. 8. They did this because security in the country is getting worse.
The commission said that they decided it after looking at the reports given to it. It’s decided that it is not possible to hold and organize the elections, which originally set for April 30.
So, as allowed by Article 218(3), Section 58, and Section 8(c) of the Elections Act of 2017. The Elections Commission of Pakistan (ECP) “hereby withdraws the election programme […] and a new schedule will be issued in due course of time with the poll date on October 8,” the commission said.
The Supreme Court said earlier that elections for the Punjab and KP assemblies should be held within the 90-day time. It did, however, let the ECP suggest a poll date that “barely” different from the 90-day deadline.
Security Situation
The ECP said that on March 10, it held a meeting with intelligence and security officials from Punjab and KP. They told the commission that they couldn’t help them run the elections. They also suggested that elections not to held right now.
The order said that the ECP told on March 14 that the Pakistan Army not be able to help with polling duties because of the current security situation.
Referring to these briefings on the overall security situation in the country, the ECP order said that at the moment, there is only one security guard per polling station on average because there is a “massive shortage of police personnel” and the army is not providing a static force.
“After looking at the reports, briefings, and other information presented to it, the commission has come to the right conclusion that it is not possible to hold and organise the elections in a way that is honest, fair, peaceful, and in line with the Constitution and the law,” the order said.
