ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Thursday it would not be possible to hold general elections in the country before October 2022.
President Dr Arif Alvi had asked the ECP on Wednesday to propose dates for the next elections.
Last Sunday, the president dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of the prime minister after the deputy speaker blocked voting on a no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan. As per the constitution, elections are to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly.
“The Election Commission through fully committed to hold elections, would however require at least four additional months to complete the exercise of delimitation,” the ECP said in response to a letter from Alvi.
“Elections could safely be held honestly, justly, fairly as ordained in Article 18 (3) of the constitution, in October 2022,” the ECP added.
Last week, Pakistan's political turmoil deepened when PM Khan avoided an attempt to oust him and sought fresh elections after dissolving parliament, a move the opposition called treasonous and vowed to fight in court.
The Supreme Court is set to announce a verdict on the constitutionality of Khan’s political maneuvers today, Thursday.
