ECP awaits census data to determine election schedule

Following the dissolution of the National Assembly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been granted a 90-day window to organize general elections. Within this period, the ECP is also required to carry out the process of constituency delimitation based on the digital census. However, census results necessary for this task have not yet been provided to the ECP.

Sources within the ECP have confirmed to geo.tv that they are still awaiting data for 186,509 census blocs and are yet to establish a timeline for the constitutionally mandated delimitation process. Although they have already received district-wise data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the data required for delimitation is still pending.

It has been revealed that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is expected to compile and share the data of these blocs with the ECP in the coming week. Following this, the ECP will need a minimum of four months to carry out the delimitation process and address any complaints that may arise.

The Council of Common Interests (CCI), a constitutional body, approved the digital census results on August 5, which marked a significant step. The ECP held its inaugural formal meeting on this matter. With the census phase now complete, the focus shifts to the subsequent step of delimitation.

While the ECP has already consulted its legal team and received a briefing, the completion of data provision from the bureau is awaited. This data is essential for the ECP to establish a timeline for fulfilling its legal obligations prior to conducting the elections.

The passage of the census results has sparked speculation, particularly within political and constitutional circles. In relation to the National Assembly, officially dissolved on August 10, triggering the countdown for the constitutional requirement of delimitation. This process encompasses 90 days, with an additional 30 days allocated for addressing related complaints and objections.

A senior official stressed the significance of time, stating that if the complete census results are provided to the Election Commission by August 15 or 16 (Tuesday or Wednesday), the commission would be left with 85 or 86 days to carry out the delimitation process.

Originally reported by Mumtaz Alvi