Elections postponed: After the economic crisis, now a constitutional crisis in Pakistan

After the economic crisis in Pakistan, now a constitutional crisis has arisen. Regarding the date of elections in Punjab, now two constitutional institutions of the country have also come face to face. The Election Commission of Pakistan has postponed the assembly elections in Punjab till October 8. In this way, the Election Commission has reversed the announcement made by President Arif Alvi that elections will be held in Punjab on April 30. President Alvi had made this announcement to conduct elections in Punjab on 30th April in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and before this announcement, Alvi had discussed it with the Election Commission of Pakistan. But now the Election Commission of Pakistan has withdrawn the decision of holding elections in Punjab on 30th April using its constitutional powers. Along with this, once again the Imran Khan and Shahbaz governments are at loggerheads on this issue.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has said in its order that according to the information received from the federal and state government in the last three days, it is not possible to conduct honest, fair and peaceful elections in the state in accordance with the constitution. The commission has said that in view of the increasing terrorist attacks, in the present situation, only one police personnel can be deployed at a polling station. Quoting the report of the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, the Election Commission has said that at present there is a shortage of 386623 police personnel in the state, which can be met only through the deployment of the army. But there is no provision for the deployment of the army.

In this way, the Election Commission has said that it does not have any alternative arrangement for the security of election materials, polling personnel, voters and candidates.

On the other hand, on Wednesday, Pak Home Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said in the joint session of the Parliament that the coalition government is not making any effort to postpone the elections and in the past also constitutional elections have been conducted in the country after a delay of 90 days. At the same time, Sanaullah said that it has become necessary for the country to get rid of Fitna and Fasad like Imran Khan, who has been trying to create instability in the country for the last 10 years.

By postponing the Punjab elections till October, the Election Commission has violated the Constitution. The need of the hour is to stand with the judiciary and the legal community in the hope that they will protect the Constitution. Because if it is accepted today it will be the end of rule of law in Pakistan.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said on Wednesday that the Election Commission of Pakistan is a constitutional body and the apex court will protect it. But if there is any lapse in conducting transparent elections, the court will intervene.