Pakistan's Election Commission made a significant announcement on Thursday regarding the upcoming general elections. The commission confirmed that the elections are set to take place in the final week of January 2024. This announcement follows a thorough review of the work related to the delimitation of constituencies, a critical step in the election preparation process.
The initial list for constituency delimitation is scheduled to be published on September 27, marking the beginning of a crucial phase. Subsequently, the final list will be issued on November 30, following a period during which objections and suggestions from various stakeholders will be heard and considered.
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The decision to expedite the delimitation process, shortening it from a potentially lengthy four months to a more streamlined schedule, comes as a response to mounting pressure from various political parties advocating for timely elections. The Constitution mandates that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) complete the delimitation process within 120 days, underscoring the importance of adhering to established timelines.
It's worth noting that the general elections in Pakistan are typically scheduled within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly. In this case, the National Assembly was dissolved prematurely on August 9, prompting concerns that the election timeline might be delayed due to the extensive delimitation process. However, this adjustment aims to ensure that the democratic process proceeds as planned, reflecting the ECP's commitment to uphold Pakistan's constitutional requirements for timely elections.
