ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday invited Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to meet him by tomorrow (August 24) to fix an appropriate date for holding general elections in the country.
In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr Arif Alvi said since the National Assembly was dissolved on August, 2023, therefore under Article 48 (5) of the Constitution, the president was obliged to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution for the holding of general election of National Assembly.
“Forgoing in view, the Chief Election Commissioner is invited for a meeting with the President today or tomorrow to fix an appropriate date”, the letter noted.
While the president has cited the constitutional provisions that elaborate on his role in deciding the election date, a recent amendment to the Elections Act 2017 empowered the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce the dates for polls unilaterally without having to consult the president.
Alvi’s invitation to the CEC also comes against the backdrop of the Election Commission of Pakistan having ruled out the of holding elections this year, following the notification of the latest 2023 digital census.
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