ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday responded to President Arif Alvi’s letter inviting Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and stated that the president is no longer empowered to fix an “appropriate” election date.
The development comes in a meeting chaired by CEC Raja to ponder over the matter.
Dr Arif Alvi, in the letter to the chief election commissioner, said since the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9, 2023, therefore under Article 48 (5) of the Constitution, he (as the president) was obliged to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution for the holding of general election of National Assembly.
“Forgoing in view, the Chief Election Commissioner is invited for a meeting with the President today or tomorrow to fix an appropriate date,” the letter noted.