The Chief Election Commissioner( CEC), Sikandar Sultan Raja, has reportedly decided not to meet with President Arif Alvi in response to the President’s assignation to bandy the date of the general choices.
This decision was made during a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan( ECP) to explore legal and indigenous options in light of the President’s letter. According to advice from the ECP’s legal platoon, the CEC was informed that there’s no need for a discussion with President Alvi regarding the election date, especially after the passage of the Election Amendment Act. Following the briefing, CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja decided not to meet with the President and communicated his decision in a letter.
The letter emphasized the ECP’s respect for President Arif Alvi but stated that there’s no demand for a discussion on the election date as per the Election Amendment Act. It clarified that while the President can advertise the election date when the assembly is dissolved, the ECP is independent in determining and publicizing the election date.
This development follows President Arif Alvi’s assignation to the CEC for a meeting to decide the date of the general choices, citing Composition 48- V, which authorizations the President to advertise the election date within 90 days after the dissolution of the assembly. still, the ECP’s response indicates that it views the Election Amendment Act as having supplanted the need for similar consultations.