ISLAMABAD: After the general elections on July 25, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is now gearing up for the presidential elections.
The tenure of incumbent President Mamnoon Hussain expires on September 9. He is unlikely to receive another stint as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is next to form the next federal government.
However, the election must be held at least one month prior as per the constitution, and are likely to be delayed as the National Assembly has yet to be convened after the general elections.
The commission has started preparations and has written a letter to the high courts requesting to approve polling officers. The ECP will announce the schedule soon but is likely be held in the last week of August or the first week of September.
The ECP will issue the final schedule for the presidential elections after the national and provincial legislatures have been formed and taken their oaths.
The indirect election to the office of the president under Article 41 (4) of the Constitution are to be held not earlier than 60 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the president in office.
This means the elections at the latest were to be held by Aug 8, and the schedule for the polls was to be announced some two weeks before it, but the electoral college was incomplete.
However, if the presidential election cannot be held because the National Assembly has been dissolved, it is to be held within 30 days of the general election to the National Assembly. Members elected to the national and provincial assemblies and the Senate will vote in the presidential elections.
