Elections will be held on Feb 8; ECP submits poll date notification to SC

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted an election date notification to the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Friday as the apex court takes up hearing of multiple pleas seeking timely elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan submitted the electoral body’s election notification — dated Nov 3 court — to the three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan.

“The Election Commission of Pakistan in the exercise of its powers under Article 57(1) of the Elections Act and all other powers enabling it on that behalf, hereby announces February 8, 2024, as the poll date for the general elections,” the notification reads.

As AGP read out the ECP notification before the court, CJP asked if everyone was happy now. “All the respondents have given their approval,” he noted.

A day earlier during the hearing, the ECP had proposed Feb 11 as the date for the general elections in the country but it was asked by the SC to approach the president for consultations.

SC also instructed the commission to settle the matter of appointing the election date and inform the court.

Today’s development comes came after Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja visited the Presidency on orders of the apex court, which had taken up pleas regarding elections.

After months of anticipation and uncertainty, the electoral body and President Dr Arif Alvi have agreed on the date for the elections.