Punjab Elections postponed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)

On March 22, Wednesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed the Punjab elections until October 8 after the government of PM Shahbaz Sharif refused to provide the necessary funds. The elections were initially scheduled to take place on April 30th. The Supreme Court had ordered that the elections for the Punjab and KPK assemblies be held within 90 days, which led the ECP to delay the Punjab elections due to security threats that could compromise their fairness, transparency, and peacefulness.

Imran Khan, the current opposition leader, and former prime minister criticized the ECP’s decision, arguing that it violated Pakistan’s constitution. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Awami Muslim League (AML), Sheikh Rashid, called on the Supreme Court to take Suo motu notice and restore the election schedule, urging the ECP to hold the elections on the previously announced date. He also requested that the court disband the caretaker regime and install a neutral, impartial, and independent caretaker government in the Punjab province.

The ECP claimed that it had contacted the interior and finance ministries on March 9 to discuss the security arrangements for the elections, but was informed that holding the elections would be difficult due to the deteriorating law and order situation, charged political environment, and serious threat to politicians. Consequently, the federal government could not provide the necessary polling funds.

Mariyam Aurangzeb, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, expressed her support for the ECP’s decision to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections in a statement released on Thursday. She emphasized that the ECP’s actions were in the best interests of the nation, considering the economic, political, and security circumstances. She also acknowledged that the ECP’s decision had prevented a significant constitutional crisis and would promote political stability in the country.