On Thursday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reacted to President Arif Alvi’s letter inviting Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, stating that the president no longer has the authority to set an “appropriate” election date.
The news came during a meeting called by CEC Raja to discuss the situation.
In his letter to the chief election commissioner, Dr Arif Alvi stated that because the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9, 2023, he (the president) was required by Article 48 (5) of the Constitution to set a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution for holding a general election of the 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.