Islamabad: President of the country, Dr. Arif Alvi, has proposed the date of November 6th for general elections across the country. President Alvi has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, in which he stated that he dissolved the National Assembly on August 9th based on the Prime Minister’s advice The letter states that the President has the authority to set a date for general elections within 90 days, inviting the Chief Election Commissioner for a meeting to ensure the constitution and its provisions are followed.According to the text of the President’s letter, the Chief Election Commissioner responded with a contrary position, asserting that it is the Election Commission’s prerogative, and there is consensus to hold national and provincial assembly elections on the same day to strengthen the federation.They stated in the letter that the Election Commission should enforce constitutional and legal measures for free and fair elections and seek guidance from the higher judiciary to hold elections on the same day in the national and provincial assemblies.The President of the country further mentioned in the letter that after the announcement of the census in August, the process of delimitation of constituencies is ongoing. It is a mandatory requirement under Article 51(5) of the constitution and Section 17 of the Election Act. The federal Ministry of Law and Justice also supports the opinion of the Election Commission of Pakistan.Their letter stated that it is the mandate of the Election Commission to announce the date of elections, as per the constitutional Article 48(5). Therefore, the President has the authority to set the date for the National Assembly’s dissolution within 90 days of the date of the assembly’s analysis. Hence, general elections should be held by Monday, November 6th, which is the nineteenth day after the analysis of the National Assembly, as specified in the constitution.
(Thanks to Geo News)