After facing substantial criticism in the wake of its majority approval by the legislature, the Senate resolution to postpone the general elections scheduled for February 8 has been rejected by Ali Imran Shah, Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Shah, speaking to reporters, asserted, “I believe that this resolution lacks [legal] validity due to the incomplete quorum in the Senate.” He suggested that the motion was an attempt to instill hopelessness among the public regarding the upcoming elections.
He emphasized the unwavering support of the bar for the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) in their directive to conduct polls on February 8, adding, “The bar is 100% aligned with the orders of the CJP.”
Following multiple delays and challenges in setting a date for the national elections, the apex court had directed the caretaker government to ensure the polls on February 8, following a consensus between President Arif Alvi and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
The court’s order was in response to petitions filed by various parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and SCBA, seeking the timely conduct of elections.
As the country gears up for the electoral process, the Senate, on Friday, passed a non-binding resolution to delay the polls citing extreme weather and security conditions. The resolution, presented by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan, garnered approval in the presence of only 14 senators out of 100. Notably, PTI Senator Gurdeep Singh and PPP Senator Behramand Tangi abstained from voting. After the vote, the Senate chairman adjourned the session indefinitely.
Concerns about potential delays loom large, with some political actors expressing worries about security and weather conditions. While they emphasize the urgency of addressing these issues, they maintain a stance against a delay in the election schedule.
