Election Commission of Pakistan calls delimitation vital for true representation in Parliament, defends election delay
The Hindu
ECP defends delay of polls, citing need for fresh delimitation of constituencies to ensure true representation in Parliament. ECP says without fresh delimitation, fundamental rights of voters, parties, and candidates won't be protected.
Pakistan’s top electoral body has defended its move to postpone the polls beyond the stipulated 90-day period, saying voters will not have true representation in Parliament without fresh delimitation of constituencies.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is caught in a difficult situation following the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9.
It must hold the next general elections by November 9 to fulfil a constitutional provision. The Election Commission must also fulfil another constitutional obligation which binds it to carry out fresh delimitation after the result of any census held countrywide was officially endorsed.
The seventh census was held in March and April and the previous government just days before the end of its term approved the outcome of the census.
The ECP cannot fulfil both constitutional obligations simultaneously and should violate one for the sake of the other, which is what it intends to do.
The Election Commission on August 17 announced the schedule of new delimitation to be carried out as per the new census approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) earlier this month.
As per the schedule, the new delimitation of the constituencies across the country will be notified in December this year.