ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday postponed general elections in Punjab, scheduled to be held on April 30, setting October 8 as the new date for the provincial assembly polls.
On March 1, the Supreme Court had ruled that the elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies should be held within the stipulated period of 90 days.
Earlier, ECP had announced to hold polls for the dissolved assembly of Punjab on April 30.
In the notification ECP said that in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by Article 218(3) read with Section 58 and Section 8(c) of the Elections Act, 2017, the commission “hereby withdraws the election program and fresh schedule will be issued in due course of time with poll date on October 8”.
Last week, the ECP was informed that the Pakistan Army will not be available for poll-related duties due to the prevalent security situation within the country.
The ECP order stated that there was currently only one security personnel, on average, available per polling station due to a “massive shortfall in police personnel” and the non-provision of army personnel as a static force. It made reference to the aforementioned briefing as well as other briefings from various government departments on the overall security situation in the country.
“The commission is unable to make alternate arrangements to ensure security of the election material, polling staff, voters and the candidates,” the order reads.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had declared that if the elections to two provincial assemblies were held as per the orders of the Supreme Court, there will be instability, anarchy, and chaos.
Addressing the joint session on Wednesday evening, he said the April 30 date announced was also beyond the constitutional limit of 90 days.
“If the elections to all the assemblies are held simultaneously, it will ensure level-playing field for all,” the minister maintained.
