Islamabad (Staff Reporrt/Agencies): President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue the election schedule for the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa immediately or else it would be held responsible for violation of the Constitution.
In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, President Alvi said Article 224(2) stipulates that elections are to be held within 90 days if an assembly has been dissolved before time. He added that ECP’s primary job was to conduct and hold elections.
“Thus, it is ultimately the Commission, which if it fails to discharge its functions and duties, is to be held responsible and answerable for the violation of our Constitution,” the president warned the ECP.
Referring to his oath of preserving and defending the Constitution, President Alvi reminded the CEC and the ECP members about their fundamental duty as per their oath under Article 214 and Third Schedule of the Constitution.
The president reminded the ECP chief and members that they should announce the election date to avoid serious consequences of breach and violation of the Constitution and law. The president also highlighted that the “oldest democracies had never delayed elections even during wars”.