Senate approves resolution asking for delay in elections

The Pakistani Senate has approved a resolution to postpone the general elections scheduled for February 8 in the country.

Senator Dilawar Khan tabled the resolution in the sparsely attended Upper House which garnered required support despite opposition from Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and Senator Afnan Ullah Khan of the Muslim League (N).

13 out of 14 senators present in the House voted in favor of the resolution.

مسلم لیگ ن کی حمایت کرنے والے آزاد سینیٹر دلاور خان نے انتخابات ملتوی کرنے کی قراردادپیش کی جسے ایوان میں موجود 14 سینیڑرز میں سے 13 نے منظور کیا
سینیٹر افنان نے انتخابات ملتوی کرنے کی قرارداد کی مخالفت کی ۔ " چیف جسٹس قاضی فائز عیسیٰ کو سلام پیش کرتا ہوں کہ انہوں نے کہا کہ…

— Azaz Syed (@AzazSyed) January 5, 2024

As Senator Dilawar read the resolution out loud, he said that the Constitution upheld the right to vote for every citizen of Pakistan, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was bound to conduct free and fair polls contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regional people.

“The vote turnout in colder areas remains notably high during the moderate weather conditions. January and February are recognised as the coldest months in the majority of the areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

Senator Dilawar Khan cited severe cold weather prevalent in many regions, making participation in those areas challenging.

He also highlighted recent security incidents, including attacks on Mohsin Dawar and members of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), as well as security forces in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Aimal Wali of the ANP also expressed reservations over the elections.

During the debate, Senator Dilawar Khan emphasized the existence of threats against individuals during election rallies, underscoring the need to address these security challenges before proceeding with the elections.

He proposed delaying the February 8 election schedule and called for the Election Commission to act, expressing trust in the Senate Election Commission.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan of the Muslim League (N) opposed the resolution, seeking to validate Senator Dilawar Khan’s concerns.

He acknowledged security challenges but argued that conditions were not as dire as in 2008 and 2013 when elections proceeded under more adverse circumstances.

Afnan Ullah questioned the rationale behind using security as a pretext for postponing the elections, expressing skepticism about the proposed delay, questioning whether Great Britain and the United States postponed elections during major conflicts.

He asserted that using weather conditions as a reason for election delay was unfounded, pointing out that elections had been held twice in adverse circumstances before.

Information Minister Murtaza Solangi also voiced his opposition to the resolution. However, despite these objections, the Senate moved forward, approving the resolution to postpone the general elections slated for February 8.

The controversy surrounding the decision continues, with differing opinions on the validity of the reasons presented for delaying the electoral process.