President Urges Commitment to Constitution’s Spirit in General Elections
President Urges Constitution’s Spirit in General Elections
Meeting with Caretaker Minister
President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the importance of adhering to the “spirit of the Constitution” regarding decisions related to general elections in Pakistan during a meeting with Caretaker Law and Justice Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, according to a statement from his office.
Support for Supreme Court Judgment
President Alvi applauded the statement made by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, affirming the caretaker government’s commitment to abide by the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgment on this matter.
Upholding Constitutional Supremacy
The President stressed the need to uphold the “supremacy of the Constitution” and called for decisions to align with the Constitution’s spirit.
Consultations with Legal Experts
This meeting followed reports of President Alvi consulting legal experts regarding the Ministry of Law and Justice’s response to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Syed Sikandar Sultan Raja’s stance on the election date.
ECP’s Role
The Ministry of Law and Justice had conveyed its view that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is the competent authority to announce or appoint the election date for national and provincial assemblies.
President’s Inquiry
Earlier, President Alvi had sought advice from the ministry on the ECP’s assertion that the head of state no longer had the authority to set the election date.
Timeline Uncertainty
Uncertainty surrounds the timing of the general elections due to various factors, including the dissolution of assemblies and the need for fresh delimitation following the 7th Population and Housing Census in 2023. Delimitation is expected to take several months, making it challenging to hold elections within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period.
