The resolution, passed amid full-fledged preparations for the polls, came as an unexpected development, casting a shadow over the previously settled February 8 election date, which had been established following discussions between the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi.
The resolution, surprisingly passed with low attendance, injected a sense of unpredictability into the electoral process. Nayyar Bukhari, Secretary General of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), took immediate action in response to the resolution and issued a show-cause notice to Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, acting upon directives from the party's top leadership.
The notice pertained to Senator Tangi's endorsement of the resolution, including a speech advocating its adoption, drawing scrutiny from the party hierarchy. “It is your knowledge that leadership and the party are of firm opinion that the election be held on the date given by the ECP, thus you supported a resolution which is against the policy and direction of the party leadership,” the notice reads.
It said Tangi violated the party leadership’s direction and policies. The senator was asked to file a reply within a week as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. Similarly, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also stepped into action and issued a show-cause notice to Senator Gurdeep Singh.
Directed by Central Secretary General Umar Ayub Khan, the notice sought clarification from Senator Singh regarding his involvement in the approval process of the resolution advocating the postponement of elections. Senator Singh, who participated in the House proceedings, has been given three days to give explanations regarding his actions.
“It has come to the notice of the party Leadership that you were sitting in the Senate session where the resolution was moved and passed to delay the General Elections scheduled in February 2024. You did not point out the quorum or oppose the said resolution,” the notice read.
Therefore, the notice said, the senator has violated the party's known and stated position of holding free and fair elections on Feb 8. “If your reply is unsatisfactory or you do not respond, further action will be taken as per party policy and rules.”
‘Assault on constitution, democracy’
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan also vehemently criticised the Senate's resolution to delay the general elections, denouncing it as an assault on constitutional principles and democracy.
In a statement released by PTI's central media, Barrister Gohar Khan reiterated the party's strong condemnation of the upper house's endorsement of the resolution aimed at postponing the elections beyond the scheduled date of February 8.
He labelled this move by certain political entities as an assault on the foundation of the constitution and democratic values. Expressing concern, the PTI chief highlighted the violation of the Senate's sanctity by those attempting to push back the general elections through an unconstitutional resolution.
He emphasised the constitutional obligation of the ECP of Pakistan and the caretaker government to conduct transparent elections within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period. “Approving such an unconstitutional decision,” he argued.
Gohar asserted his party's preparedness for the upcoming elections, rejecting any dubious attempts aimed at delaying them. He urged the SC to promptly take notice of the Senate's resolution and take effective measures to counter any efforts hindering the electoral process's transparency or timing.
‘PPP did not endorse the resolution’
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party made its stance clear, stating that it did not endorse the Senate's resolution proposing a delay in the elections. Addressing a press conference held at Bilawal House, PPP's senior leader Sherry Rehman emphasised the party's position, affirming its commitment to timely, fair, and transparent elections.
"Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has unequivocally expressed our stance: we advocate for elections held as scheduled. The PPP is consistent in seeking timely elections," she asserted.
She underscored that the Supreme Court has decided February 8 as the election date, and all necessary preparations, including finalising candidates, have been concluded accordingly.
Regarding the resolution proposing a postponement, the senior leader highlighted its presentation with only 14 senators present, failing to meet the quorum requirement.
She noted Senator Tangi's opposition to the resolution, adding that if any ambiguity persisted, the party would seek clarification from him.
PML-N Central Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb also clarified the party's commitment to conducting the general elections on February 8, 2024. She emphasised that in line with the ECP’s schedule, comprehensive preparations for the elections are currently underway.
"On February 8, the people will exercise their democratic right to vote, contributing to Pakistan's development, peace, and prosperity," she stated.
‘Polls delay akin to surrendering’
Jamaat-e-Islami emir Sirajul Haq said that advocating for the postponement of elections within the Senate constitutes “a conspiracy against both the nation and democratic principles”.
He expressed concerns that delaying elections due to unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) would essentially amount to capitulating to those instigating instability.
He stressed that ensuring peace and stability in the country hinges upon conducting transparent and punctual elections.
Jamaat-e-Islami is firm in its stance, advocating for fair and transparent electionsnationwide on February 8, he said adding that the party has distributed candidacy tickets for the national and provincial assembly positions nationwide.
Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has highlighted that it will make no difference if the general elections are delayed by eight to 10 days, saying that factors such as adverse weather conditions or security situation in erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) may impact the schedule of polls.
In an interview with a private news channel, Zardari emphasised that the elections were inevitable with or without delay.
When asked if the date of the elections had already been announced and did he still think that the polls could be delayed further than the scheduled date of Feb 8, the former president said that the decision rested solely with the Election Commission of Pakistan, emphasising that neither he nor anyone else had any control over the matter.
He said the electoral watchdog was mandated as per the Constitution to make any further announcement in this regard.
"If the elections are delayed by eight to 10 days, it doesn't make any difference," he stated.
Zardari expressed belief that the elections would take place, irrespective of whether they were held on Feb 8 or any other date.
Highlighting potential contributing factors that might delay the polls, Zardari pointed out that weather conditions and existing conflicts, particularly in the erstwhile Fata region, could play a role in the decision-making process.
The ECP has finalised constituencies, and after consultations with President Arif Alvi and oversight by the Supreme Court, the election date of Feb 8 had been officially announced.
The suggestion comes after K-P Governor Ghulam Ali's recent remarks, highlighting the difficulties in conducting political activities in certain parts of the province and Balochistan due to the prevailing security situation.
A day earlier, another PPP leader, Abdul Qadir Baloch, had also raised similar concerns about the elections.
Baloch had proposed the postponement of elections in areas under security threats. He suggested conducting by-polls in these constituencies at a later stage.
During an interview on a private news channel, PPP's Baloch argued for a strategic delay in elections within sensitive areas instead of a complete postponement of the polls.
"In a nation with 236 seats, it is not appropriate to postpone elections on seven to eight seats and risk derailing the democratic process," he said.
He asserted that similar to K-P, Balochistan was also facing threats from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
“Attacks by the TTP in Balochistan are way higher than those by Baloch separatists,” the PPP leader said, adding that Kalat, Mastung, and neighbouring areas were often targeted by the outlawed organisation.
Similarly, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also recently expressed doubts regarding the feasibility of holding elections amidst what he termed a "deteriorating" security climate.
