The Election Commission of Pakistan defended its decision to postpone polls for more than 90 days, claiming that true representation of voters, contesting candidates, and political parties in the parliament and provincial assemblies would be impossible without new constituency delimitation and revised electoral rolls, according to Geo News on Saturday.
The commission describes the recent series of discussions on digital census and general election in the three-page statement, saying that proper representation of voters, candidates, and political groups is a fundamental principle of constitutional democracy as contemplated by the Constitution.
This decision was issued in response to criticism from political parties, legal and political experts, and civil society about the country’s failure to hold elections within 90 days of the dissolution of all assemblies.
According to Geo News, the ECP stated in its order that it is the commission’s responsibility to prepare electoral rolls for election to the National Assembly, provincial assemblies, and local governments, as well as to revise such rolls on a regular basis to keep them up to date, as per clause (a) of Article 219 of the Constitution.
“And whereas; after the publication of the 7th Population Census approximately 20,8051- census blocks have increased, some have been merged while others have split, for which revision/updating of the electoral rolls is necessary to adjust the registered voters in accordance with census charges, circles and blocks according to census 2023,” it explained.
According to Geo News, the ECP emphasized that providing true representation to the electorate is one of the Commission’s fundamental tasks under Article 218(3) and the foundation of parliamentary democracy.
Earlier, the ECP stated on Thursday that it will conduct new constituency delimitation, according to Pakistan-based Dawn.
The Council of Common Interests (CCI) approved the results of the 2023 digital census in July, making it mandatory for Pakistan’s electoral commission to conduct new delimitation. According to the news, a new delimitation will take four months.