ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi Friday announced April 30 as the date for the general elections in Punjab after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) proposed dates for the election in the province as directed by the Supreme Court (SC).
According to a tweet from President of Pakistan’s official handle, he announced the date after considering the dates proposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
“President Dr Arif Alvi has announced to hold general elections of Punjab Assembly on April 30, Sunday,” tweeted the President’s office on Friday.
Dr Alvi’s office said that the decision was made by president after “considering the dates proposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan”.
He announced the date after considering dates proposed by Election Commission of Pakistan. ECP had proposed poll date between 30 April to 7 May 2023 for holding general elections of Provincial Assembly of Punjab, and had further suggested to hold elections preferably on Sunday.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 3, 2023
Earlier on Friday, the ECP suggested holding elections for Punjab provincial assembly between April 30 and May 7.
The ECP conveyed the recommendation to President Dr Arif Alvi In a letter. The apex elections body is expected to release a schedule for elections shortly.
“The Election Commission has sent a letter to the president in light of the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, in which the dates for holding the elections in Punjab have been suggested between April 30 and May 7, 2023,” stated a press release.
The Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved on January 14 and January 18 respectively, and under the law, the elections were to be held within 90 days after their dissolution.
However, after the governors’ refusal to fix a date for polls, the issue landed in the Supreme Court which directed the president to announce the election date in consultation with the commission.
Last year, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan had announced that his governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would dissolve their assemblies to pave the way for fresh elections. This was eventually achieved last month.
