Despite all the preparations made by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold general elections on time, there are indications especially from the establishment that the polls may be delayed for some time on 'technical grounds'. Well informed sources told Business Recorder that Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, during a recent meeting with representatives of some political parties from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parliamentarians from Federally Administered Tribal Areas, remarked that the general elections 2018 may be delayed for some time on 'technical grounds'.
The meeting was held in connection with the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) to discuss the possibility of dialogue with the representatives of the Movement, during which the Army Chief expressed his resolve to support the continuation of the democratic process in the country and stated that elections may be delayed on "technical grounds.
However, well placed sources in ECP told Business Recorder that "there is no outstanding 'technical ground' on which general elections may be delayed....ECP is all set to conduct the general elections of 2018 on time." He cited four elements that could be termed as technical grounds - electoral rolls, delimitation exercise, legal issues, and the availability of funds. "But all these grounds are ready - electoral rolls are prepared, the exercise of delimitation has already been completed, the law is intact and the required funds are available for conducting the elections," he added.
"When all the necessary requirements have been met and the ECP is set to conduct the polls, then what other technical grounds are there to delay the elections?" the ECP official asked. Commenting on the reports on Friday, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said: "no delay in general elections will be tolerated and we will foil all such efforts aimed at playing with the mandate of the people".
He said that "the Ladla" (the dear one) has also hinted at delay in general elections after his 'failed' show in Lahore". He was clearly referring to PTI chief Imran Khan. "We want general elections on time and any delay, even for a minute or a day, will not be tolerated by PML-N", the former prime minister added.
Addressing a gathering in Narowal after performing the ground-breaking of dualization of Pasrur-Sialkot road on Saturday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also referred to a possible delay in general elections, saying: "Many people do not want elections to be held, but let me assure you that the general elections will be held before July 30". "We will knock on the door of the court if there is any delay in holding the general elections", the Prime Minister further said.
Leader of the opposition in National Assembly Syed Kursheed Shah stated that it would be an unconstitutional move if the polls are delayed. He said that the ground is already prepared for holding the 2018 elections, adding that holding free, fair and transparent elections is the need of the hour.
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