The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday notified that general elections to elect new provincial and national assemblies in the country will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
A notification in this regard was issued by the ECP on Thursday evening at the conclusion of a consultation between President Dr Arif Alvi and the top brass of the ECP, including Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and four members of ECP representing the four provinces.
A readout from the President's secretariat read: "After a detailed discussion the meeting unanimously agreed to hold General Elections in the country on 8th February 2024."
Earlier in the day, following directions from the Supreme Court, the ECP informed President Dr Arif Alvi that the date of February 11 has been set for general elections in the country.
This was communicated as Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja met with President Dr Arif Alvi at the Presidency (Aiwan-e-Sadr) in Islamabad on Thursday. He was accompanied by ECP Members Justice (retired) Ikramullah Khan, Shah Mehmood Jatoi and Babar Hassan Bharwana. Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan was also present during the meeting.
During the meeting, Raja conveyed to President Alvi that there were three possible dates to hold elections. The first was January 28, the second was February 4, and the last was February 11.
Of these, Raja said that the ECP had suggested February 11 to the apex court, adding that it was the 'ideal' date as it would provide ample time for political parties to campaign.
Moreover, he explained that it would also address concerns expressed by some quarters that it would be too cold in January to conduct polls smoothly.
Further briefing President Alvi on the electoral process, the ECP officials said that on September 28, they had issued a provisional list of constituencies, while people had until October 28 to file their objections or representations against the boundaries drawn by the ECP.
During this period, the ECP said it received 1,324 objections to the delimited constituent boundaries. A final list of constituencies will be issued on December 5 after the objections are resolved by November 30.
By holding polls on February 11, there would be sufficient time before the term of the incumbent members of the Senate expires to elect new members.
Before the meeting, Alvi separately met with Attorney General Mansoori.
Earlier in the day, while hearing the case of holding elections in 90 days, the ECP told the court that they had decided to hold elections on February 11. When Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who was heading the bench, inquired whether President Alvi had been consulted, the answer was negative.
Justice Isa then directed the ECP to consult with President Alvi and then submit the final election date.