ECP pens letter to president on Punjab election delay

ISLAMABAD: Following the cancellation of elections in Punjab, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday wrote a letter to President Arif Alvi to take him into confidence over the decision, ARY News reported, quoting well-informed sources.

According to details, the Election Commission of Pakistan wrote a letter having the reasons behind the cancellation of Punjab elections to President Arif Alvi, the sources having knowledge of the matter said.

The ECP letter stated that a schedule for elections in Punjab was issued in the light of the  Supreme Court decision as it was the responsibility of the electoral body to hold fair and transparent elections۔

Read more: ECP asked to withdraw decision delaying Punjab elections

The letter further said that for transparent and fair elections, meetings were held with the Punjab governor, caretaker government, security agencies, chief secretary and others, but all the stakeholders were not ready for immediate elections, while the provision of security was also denied.

The letter also referred to Article 218 ( 3) of the Constitution and Sections 58 and 8C of the Election Act 2017, under which elections were canceled۔

The Election Commission of Pakistan also said that elections on April 30 were not possible, so the October 8 date was set for polling for which the schedule will be announced later.