"MQM-Pawsitive: Woof! Election Collar-Bration with ECP - Paws for Holding Polls Post Delimitation!"

 "MQM-Pawsitive: Woof!  Election Collar-Bration with ECP - Paws for Holding Polls Post Delimitation

In a recent development, MQM-Pakistan has thrown its support behind the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to postpone elections until after the delimitation process. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) expressed its concern to the ECP, suggesting that issuing the election schedule alongside the delimitation plan could have alleviated uncertainties.

During separate meetings with Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, both parties affirmed their positions. MQM-P's delegation, led by Senior Deputy Convener Dr. Farooq Sattar, lauded the ECP's delimitation decision, mentioning reservations about the 2017 census. They highlighted the audit of the new census during the Imran Khan-led government, citing PTI's commitment to new polls based on the updated census, which began the process.

The MQM-P stressed the significance of accurate representation in the National and provincial assemblies based on the new census, particularly considering Karachi's population influx from various cities. They urged proper delimitation reflecting this reality, along with the renewal of electoral rolls.

Conversely, JI expressed its viewpoint to the ECP, advocating for earlier consultation with political parties and stressing the need to avoid premature dissolution of assemblies. While recognizing the ongoing delimitation process, JI believed that releasing the election schedule simultaneously could have reduced ambiguity.

CEC Raja assured both parties of swift delimitation work completion, followed by immediate polls. He mentioned simultaneous delimitation of constituencies and electoral roll renewal. The ECP also confirmed further consultation with all political parties on the election code of conduct.

Earlier, sources indicated that ECP aimed to consult major political parties, including PTI, on the upcoming general election date, expected early next year. Discussions encompassed election roadmap development, delimitation, and voter lists. PML-N, PTI, and JUI-F were previously consulted, with PML-N and JUI-F supporting post-delimitation elections, while PTI urged for polls within 90 days.

The uncertainty surrounding election timing resulted from the National Assembly's dissolution by the Shehbaz Sharif-led government on August 9, coupled with early dissolutions of Sindh and Balochistan assemblies. This allowed ECP to hold elections within 90 days as opposed to the constitutional 60 days.

Nonetheless, holding timely polls might prove challenging due to the Council of Common Interest's (CCI) approval of the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023 just before assembly dissolution. The CCI-approved census data mandated fresh delimitations in accordance with Article 51 (5) of the Constitution.

In response, the ECP announced a schedule for nationwide constituency delimitation, set to conclude in December this year. This timeline, spanning nearly four months, implies that holding general elections within the stipulated 90 days after provincial and national assembly dissolution might not be feasible.