Rana Sanaullah, a prominent member of the opposition in Pakistan, has criticized President Arif Alvi’s recent announcement regarding the upcoming April 9 elections. Sanaullah has accused the President of interfering in the electoral process and favoring the ruling party.
In a statement to the media, Sanaullah expressed his concern that the President’s announcement could lead to pre-poll rigging and unfair elections. He further stated that the opposition parties were not consulted before the announcement, and their views were not taken into consideration.
The April 9 elections are a crucial event for the Pakistani political landscape, with many important positions up for grabs. The ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is seeking to maintain its hold on power, while the opposition parties are determined to gain ground and challenge the PTI’s dominance.
Sanaullah’s criticism of President Alvi’s announcement reflects the growing tension between the government and the opposition in the lead-up to the elections. The opposition has accused the PTI of using state institutions to manipulate the elections in their favor, while the government has accused the opposition of resorting to violence and intimidation tactics.
As the April 9 elections draw closer, it remains to be seen how the political situation in Pakistan will evolve. The criticism of President Alvi’s announcement by Rana Sanaullah and other members of the opposition is likely to intensify in the coming days, adding to the already heated debate surrounding the elections. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
Tug of war between President and CEC
The struggle between the President and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja seems to have intensified as the former announced the elections date on February 20 by exercising his power under Section 57 (1) of the Elections Act, 2017. He further asked the electoral body to issue an election programme in accordance with Section 57 (2) of the Act.
Last week, the president had summoned CEC Raja for an urgent meeting on February 20 (Monday) for consultation regarding the date of the poll as he lambasted him over ECP’s “poignant approach” regarding the general elections date.
However, the CEC had excused itself from holding consultations with President Alvi for the time being, saying that the matter was already under judicial consideration.
In his letter to Raja, the president said that he was under oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution under Article 42 read with the third schedule of the Constitution.
He wrote that there being no restraining order from any of the judicial fora, there was no impediment to invoking the power and authority vested in him under Section 57 (1) of Elections Act, 2017, empowering him to “announce the date or dates of the general elections after consultation with the Commission”.
The Election Commission, in a letter to President Alvi on Feb 20, stated that the issue of fixing the election date is subjudice and it can not be part of this process led by the president.
“In continuation of our earlier two letters, dated 18th and 19th February, 2023 and facts clearly stated therein. The Hon’ble Commission held a meeting today i.e. 20th February, 2023 at 09:30am on the subject matter and decided that the matter being subjudice, the Commission cannot participate in a meeting on the Subject matter with the Office of the President,” Secretary ECP Omar Hamid Khan wrote.
The president also added that he had felt it necessary to perform his constitutional and statutory duty to announce the date of elections to avoid the infringement and breach of the Constitution and law i.e., holding of elections not later than 90 days.
The president further said that the governors of Punjab and KP were not performing their constitutional duties for appointing a date, not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution of provincial assemblies as per the Constitution.
He added that the ECP was also not fulfilling its constitutional obligation to hold elections for the assemblies of Punjab and KP.
