Resolution seeking 3-month delay in general elections s... about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2F...

dawn.com

Resolution seeking 3-month delay in

general elections submitted in
Senate
Nadir Guramani

3–4 minutes

With the February 8 general election less than a month away, a

fresh resolution was submitted to the Senate Secretariat on
Friday seeking a three-month delay in the polls.

On January 5, a thinly-attended session of the upper house of

parliament had become the talk of the town after it adopted a
resolution, albeit a non-binding one, seeking the postponement
of the general elections over security and bad weather
concerns.

The widely panned resolution, which was not initially scheduled

for discussion, was introduced by independent Senator Dilawar
Khan and received support primarily from Balochistan Awami
Party (BAP) senators.

However, it also appeared to have the tacit support of some

other parties, and the absence of lawmakers from mainstream
political parties raised several questions.

PPP Senator Bahramand Tangi not only kept silent at the time of
the voice vote, but also delivered a speech stressing the need
for peace before polls. He was later issued a show-cause notice
by his party for deviating from its policy.

1 of 3 12/01/2024, 20.35
Resolution seeking 3-month delay in general elections s... about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2F...

The passage of the resolution was subsequently condemned by

politicians and lawyers, who termed it a “conspiracy against
democracy” and asserted that polls be held on time.

Subsequently, another resolution was submitted in the Senate

by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, emphasising the need to
adhere to “constitutional requirements” and ensure the timely
conduct of the polls.

Further, senators belonging to the PTI, PPP and Jamaat-i-Islami

on Thursday requisitioned a session to discuss the timely
conduct of free and fair polls. PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar
submitted the requisition notice, signed by lawmakers from the
three political parties, advocating for holding general elections
on February 8.

Today, independent Senator Hidayatullah submitted a resolution

in the Senate Secretariat, which stated that the upper house of
Parliament had taken note of an increase in attacks targeting
candidates.

It said that an increase in terrorist and armed attacks in the

country, specifically in Waziristan, Bajaur, Swabi and Turbat, had
led to an elderly politician being injured and the death of a
candidate.

“This has created an atmosphere of fear and lack of security in

the country,” the resolution said. It went on to say that
threatening pamphlets were being sent to candidates’ homes
and election officers.

“The upper house of Parliament recognises that holding general

elections is a constitutional duty.

“Where the Constitution emphasises that elections must be free

and fair, it also ensure the fundamental right of protecting

2 of 3 12/01/2024, 20.35
Resolution seeking 3-month delay in general elections s... about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2F...

people’s lives and property,” it said. It highlighted Article 9 (right

to security of person) of the Constitution, saying that it stated
that it was the state’s primary responsibility to protect people’s
lives and property.

The resolution urged the Election Commission of Pakistan and

the Supreme Court to delay general elections for three months
due to current security challenges.

During this time, the resolution said, the government should

focus on creating an environment which guaranteed a level-
playing field for all political parties and candidates.

3 of 3 12/01/2024, 20.35