The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision to postpone the Punjab by-elections has caused a storm in Pakistan. The announcement has been met with much criticism and upset.
Since PTI’s latest political campaign is based on triggering early elections, the ECP has become the target of much criticism for what is being termed as its deliberate refusal to hold elections.
Pertinent to mention here that according to Article 222 of the Constitution, the election for National Assembly and provincial assemblies would take place within 60 days at the time of expiry of their term but if assemblies are dissolved before their constitutional term by the prime minister and respective chief ministers, the election would be held within 90 days.
Read more: Punjab elections to be held on 30th April
Following the announcement of the postponement of Punjab by-elections, calls for upholding the Constitution are being echoed on social media. Interestingly, netizens are taking to social media, demanding their constitutional right to vote from the Chief Justice of Pakistan in a new Twitter trend.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial is trending on Twitter as netizens, including PTI leaders, demand their constitutional right to vote.
My Name is Fawad Chaudhry and I demand my constitutional right to vote #Art6onECP https://t.co/ZvK4dnzJWT
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 23, 2023
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial,
My name is Aliya Hamza Malik, and as a Pakistani, I demand my constitutional right to vote! #Article6onECP https://t.co/5TU5xahquI— Aliya hamza malik (@aliya_hamza) March 23, 2023
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial,
My name is Mohammad Azam Khan Swati, and as a Pakistani, I demand my constitutional right to vote! #Article6onECP#آئین_پاکستان_سے_غداری_نامنظور #ChiefJusticeofPakistan— Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) March 23, 2023
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, my name is Raja Sohail Abbas, and as a Pakistani I demand my constitutional right to vote!#Article6onECP
— Raja Sohail Abbas (@suhaylabbas) March 22, 2023
In a surprise development, the Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday announced the postponement of the upcoming elections in Punjab — initially scheduled to be held on April 30 — citing security reasons as the major cause behind their change in plan.
ECP announced October 08 as the new date for elections in Punjab, adding that the new election schedule will be released soon. President Dr Arif Alvi has also been informed about the postponement of elections in Punjab.
Read more: President Alvi announces date for Punjab, KP elections
Furthermore, prior to the ECP announcement, the government also on Wednesday pleaded with Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to “review” the March 1 ruling regarding the holding of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, warning that split polls would further deepen political crisis and create chaos in the country.
The request was made by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah who gave a couple of references from history when previous elections were delayed for more than the constitutionally mandated 90 days.