Senate passes resolution seeking delay to Feb 8 elections

• Senator Dilawar Khan tables resolution.
• PML-N’s Afnan calls it “boot-polising”. 
• Caretaker government opposes move.

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ISLAMABAD: Senate Friday approved a non-binding resolution seeking a delay to the general elections, set to be staged on February 8, drawing strong criticism from major political parties. 

Senator Dilawar Khan, an independent lawmaker, moved the resolution in the upper house of the parliament, which got the approval during the presence of 14 senators — who were the only lawmakers present in the house of 100.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Gurdeep Singh and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Behramand Tangi abstained from voting. Following the vote, the Senate chairman adjourned the session indefinitely.

The elections are set to take place in 90 days when an assembly is dissolved, but the polls in all five legislative are yet to be held and they’ve already surpassed their constitutional limit.

The polls for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab assemblies — dissolved in January last year — have not been held for around a year, while the national, Balochistan, and Sindh assemblies have been pushed past their limits as well already.

With the fears rife of delays, a petition was moved in the Supreme Court, following which the apex court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi to announce a date, which they did: February 8.

However, some political actors have been raising concerns about the security situation as well as the weather conditions. They say that they don’t want a delay, but called for the redressal of their problems.

The resolution passed today has also cited extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation, especially in KP and Balochistan, which have been at the receiving end of terrorists.

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Resolution passed by majority in the Senate today….! @appcsocialmedia @GovtofPakistan @MoIB_Official pic.twitter.com/K1OnrldizV

— Senate of Pakistan (@SenatePakistan) January 5, 2024

Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, representing the caretaker government which is appointed to over the country’s affairs till the elections, opposed the move.

Senator Dilawar, talking on the floor of the house, said most of the areas in the country were currently experiencing harsh cold weather, hence, the participation of voters in those areas was unmanageable.

Highlighting the law and order situation, the senator said attacks were carried out on National Democratic Movement leader Mohsin Dawar and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) members.

Even security forces were attacked in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added. He said Awami National Party (ANP) leader Aimal Wali also had reservations over elections.

The senator said threat alerts were also issued by the intelligence agencies during election rallies.

“The Senate says that elections should not be held without removing the hurdles, therefore, the February 8 elections should be postponed,” he said, adding that the ECP should begin the process of postponing the polls.

He also said the Senate trusted the electoral body.

‘Boot-polishing’

The resolution was opposed by Senator Afnanullah Khan of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Senator Afnanullah criticised the resolution, saying that the security situation in the country was worse at the time of the 2008 and 2013 general elections. Elections would never be held if an excuse for security was made, he added.

He asked if the United Kingdom and the United States deferred the elections during World War II, saying an excuse was being made to delay the polls on the pretext of weather.

Senator Afnanullah likened the campaign for postponing elections to an act of ‘boot-polishing’. 

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri said climate change was a rather new phenomenon. She said now the country was undergoing a change for the better. “We hold our armed forces in high esteem,” she added.

Independent lawmaker Senator Kauda Babar said there are parts of the country, where elections could not be held because of extreme weather conditions.

“Are politicians the only ones left to die,” asked Senator Babar. He demanded the government to come clear on the security measures taken for the safety of the candidates. 

He told the upper house that his uncle passed away today and instead of grieving he was debating in the Senate.

“You cannot just leave us to die. That’s not going to happen. Who will ensure security steps for those who choose to run election campaign,” Senator Babar said. 

He also stressed that issuing threat alerts was not enough and security should also be provided to election contestants. “The situation in the country was grim, the election contesters were not safe,” he said.

ANP Senator Hidayatullah Khan said his party was not against the elections and wanted to contest the polls. “We want elections to be held without spilling of blood,” he said.

Extending full support for the resolution, BAP Senator Prince Ahmed Umar said their preparation was complete. However, he said, he was oblivious to the situation in KP and Balochistan.

Another BAP senator, Manzoor Kakar, said his party would not let the masses become victims of terrorism.

‘Not hidden’

Speaking to Geo News, Information Minister Solangi said that he wasn’t given a chance by the Senate chairman to present his views on the matter despite requesting him twice.

“I would’ve discussed [the said issue] in detail if he [senate chairman] had given me a chance [to speak],” the minister said.

“The reason for my opposition [to the resolution] is that I cannot speak on my own behalf [but actually] can speak on behalf of the federal cabinet and government,” Solangi noted, while reiterating his opposition to the rather controversial resolution.

Commenting on any change in the poll date, the minister said it was the election commission’s responsibility to announce the election dates, make changes to them, and conduct the polls.

“We cannot interfere with the powers of the constitutional government and any other constitutional body,” he said.

“There are weather and security issues [and] these issues have been there before [as well],” Solangi said while terming the issues raised by Senator Dilawar’s resolution as “real”.

Commenting on whether he has any information pertaining to poll delay, the minister said that he hadn’t received any indication from any quarters regarding any delay in the general elections.

“Those who don’t want the elections to be held on time are not hidden anymore […] It is not my responsibility to investigate who’s behind all this [resolution],” he concluded.

The resolution’s text

Acknowledging that:

The Constitution of Pakistan upholds the right to vote for every citizen of Pakistan;

The Constitutional duty assigned to the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct free and fair elections is contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regions and people. The voter turnout in colder areas remains notably high during moderate weather conditions;

January and February are recognized as the coldest months in a majority of the areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa;

Various groups and political parties have expressed significant reservations regarding anticipated difficulties in ensuring the participation of residents in cold areas during the electioneering process Noting with great concern that;

Recent incidents, including the foiled attempts on the lives of Jarnlat Ulema-e-(JUI-F) Chief Maulana Faziur Rehman and former MNA Mohsin Dawar, as well as threatening calls targeting Awaml National Party’s Provincial Chief Aimal Wali Khan and other political figures, have raised concerns about the safety of political leaders;

The Ministry of Interior has convoyed serious threats to the lives of prominent politicians, further exacerbating the challenges faced by political parties in exercising their right to free and fair election campaigning;

There has been a marked increase in attacks on security forces and citizens claiming precious lives, particularly in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces. The intelligence agencies have warned of militant attack threats on election rallies in the Nio provinces;

Increase in attacks targeting both security forces and civilians, resulting In the loss of valuable lives, particularly in the northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces;

Alerts issued by intelligence agencies, Indicating Imminent threats of militant attacks on election rallies within the aforementioned provinces may have potential impact on the safety of citizens and the democratic electoral process;

Cognizant of the resurgence of the Covid-19 virus in the country and health sector’s concerns about potential further spread;

Reaffirms that while holding the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the elections date in the highest esteem for the Upper House of the Parliament, the Senate of Pakistan, being the defender of the rights of all federating units, is obligated to ensure the constitutional guarantees and to alleviate fears of the smaller provinces especially vulnerable geographical territories;

The Senate of Pakistan hereby RESOLVES that;

Conducting elections without addressing legitimate concerns, facilitating sufficient opportunities for election campaigns, and guaranteeing the safety of politicians and citizens would amount to a violation of the fundamental right to vote and political participation, as safeguarded by the Constitution of Pakistan;

The Elections scheduled for 8th February 2024 may be postponed to facilitate the effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan and belonging to all political shades in the electioneering process. This delay aims to protect and uphold their constitutional right to political participation;

The Election Commission of Pakistan is urged to promptly implement the postponement and ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to facilitate the smooth conduct of elections on the revised date; The process of filing nomination papers and scrutiny shall continue with the revised/extended timelines;

The Election Commission of Pakistan shall engage proactively with relevant stakeholders, political parties, and communities in to address their concerns and foster an environment conducive to free and fair elections;

The Senate of Pakistan EXPRESSES confidence in the ability of the Election Commission of Pakistan to effectively manage and oversee the revised election schedule, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.