According to the decision of the census made by Council of Common Interests(CCI), the Election Commission has taken steps as per Article 51(5) of the Constitution for reshaping the constituencies nationwide keeping in view the of delimitation, as a result, the delimitation notification is set today, in accordance with the decision of CCI.
The Election Commission has made efforts to satisfy all the people who raised objections by providing time to them through evidence, maps, websites, and screens.
Despite this, concerns of objectors to constituency delimitations persist. They are entitled to file appeals in the higher courts, However, it is expected that the ECP will issue the electoral schedule around December 15, despite appeals in the higher courts, to ensure that the electoral process is not affected.
Before the elections of July 2018, the Election Commission had also issued the final delimitation notification in June 2018, and the doors for appeals were opened. Appeals were filed in all four High Courts in the country against the delimitation notification, which resulted in the decisions came in favor of the applicants by the Sindh and Lahore high courts.
Afterward, there was a concern that if reconsideration of constituency delimitations were carried out in light of the decisions of the high courts, it might become impossible to conduct the elections on July 25, 2018.
At that time, Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Reza had requested Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, stating that, according to the provisions of the Election Act, the decision regarding constituency delimitations is final and cannot be challenged in any court. On which CJP rejected all appeals from the high courts while issuing the decision, providing a free hand to the Election Commission.
Now according to this decision, if objectors file appeals in the high courts, the Election Commission will have the authority, as per the judgments of Supreme Court, to declare all appeals null and void.
Internal speculations are rising that elections might not take place on February 8, and the possibilities of being delayed until September or October next year are being considered.
The Election Commission has printed the list of 120 million voters, and the candidates can obtain the electoral lists of their respective constituencies from the district offices of the Election Commission as per the law.
It would be a challenge for the Election Commission, administration, and the higher judiciary to ensure that elections take place at the scheduled time amidst the political turmoil and complex situations prevailing in the country.
It is the duty of caretaker Prime Minister and his cabinet to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country in time. If elections would be delayed, then the political turmoil would increase and several people on behalf of political parties would go in the litigation against delay of elections.