KP elections to be held on May 28, announces governor
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali has announced the poll date for holding general elections in the province which is May 28, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Talking to newsmen after attending a meeting at Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Islamabad on Tuesday, Governor Ghulam Ali said that he and the ECP have agreed on May 28 as the election date.
He said the meeting with the ECP officials was held in a cordial atmosphere. He, however, showed concern that attacks on police and census teams in Lakki Marwat and Tank will deter candidates from running the election campaign. “The real problem is the law and order,” he added.
The governor said that announcing the elections date was his constitutional duty, which he had fulfilled today and holding elections is Election Commission’s job. “The Supreme Court’s verdict will be implemented,” he announced.
He said he had proposed May 28 as the election date
He further said that he had conveyed the apprehensions of tribal elders over the fragile law and order situation and over holding of census in their areas to the president and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
He, however, said that he could not see elections taking place. “I want elections to all assemblies should be held simultaneously,” the governor added.
The meeting at the ECP, which was also attended by other members and officials of the electoral authority, was held for consultation on the date for holding general polls in KP.
Earlier, KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali met with President Arif Alvi at the President House in Islamabad on Tuesday and discussed elections to the KP Assembly in the light of the order of the Supreme Court (SC).
The president asked the governor to announce the date for elections after consultations with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The president emphasized following the constitution and holding of elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the provincial assembly. “Already two weeks have passed to the Supreme Court (SC) order. Hence, in order to avoid complications, elections date should be announced at the earliest,” he counselled the governor.
The president brought home the fact that the constitution had made it obligatory to hold elections at the stipulated time.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کی دعوت پر گورنر خیبرپختونخوا حاجی غلام علی کی ایوان صدر میں صدر مملکت سے ملاقات
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 14, 2023
صدر مملکت اور گورنر خیبر پختونخواہ کا عام انتخابات کے انعقاد سے متعلق امور پر تبادلہ خیال pic.twitter.com/jAOdUCJqBC
تقریباً 2 ہفتے گزر گئے ، پیچیدگی سے بچنے کیلئے سپریم کورٹ کے فیصلے کے مطابق انتخابات کی تاریخ مقرر کی جائے، صدر کا گورنر کو مشورہ
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 14, 2023
صدر مملکت کا آئین کی پاسداری ، مقررہ مدت کے اندر عام انتخابات کے انعقاد کی ضرورت پر زور
مقررہ وقت میں انتخابات آئین نے لازمی قرار دیے، سپریم کورٹ نے توثیق کی، صدر عارف علوی
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 14, 2023
مقررہ وقت میں انتخابات ملک میں پارلیمانی جمہوریت کو مضبوط بنانے کے لیے ضروری ہیں، صدر مملکت
It should be noted that the direction to conduct the polls was given by the Supreme Court in the suo motu notice verdict, which was announced by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial — the chair of a five-member bench hearing the case, hearings for which were held for two consecutive days.
Apart from Justice Ata Bandial, the bench comprised Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and Justice Jamal Mandokhail.
In the verdict, the apex court noted that there are "different aspects and requirements" for holding polls but ruled that one thing that was "absolutely crucial is the timeframe" for the polls. It added that Constitution envisages two periods for holding polls — 60 days in case the assembly is dissolved after its term is completed and 90 days in case the assembly is dissolved before the expiry of its term.
Reporters: Amir Shahzad and Usman Khan