US asked Pakistan to hold fair and timely elections

In response to President Arif Alvi's recent letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), where he suggested that elections should be conducted no later than November 6, the U.S. State Department has issued a statement urging Pakistan to ensure the timely holding of free and fair elections in accordance with the law.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller addressed Alvi's communication with the ECP, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes. Miller stated, "As we do with countries around the world, we urge Pakistan to conduct elections that are free, fair, and adhere to their established legal framework, while respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law."

The U.S. official also stressed the importance of Pakistan's electoral process aligning with the country's laws and regulations.

Notably, this letter from President Alvi marks the fourth instance where he has corresponded with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja regarding upcoming elections in Pakistan. His previous letters proposed dates for elections in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Initially, on February 20, the President unilaterally announced April 9 as the election date for these two provinces but later allowed the ECP flexibility to choose any date between April 30 and May 7. It's essential to note that the Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved on January 14 and January 19, respectively.

While some political experts have criticized the President's latest letter, citing ambiguity in his request that elections not exceed November 6, he invoked Article 48(5) of the Constitution to justify his position. According to the President, this article empowers him to set a date for general elections within 90 days of the assembly's dissolution, leading to his proposal for November 6, 2023.

However, the CEC, supported by the law ministry and provincial governments, contended that under Article 51(5) of the Constitution and the electoral laws framework, determining the election date falls within the ECP's purview.

President Alvi has acknowledged the ECP's responsibility for organizing and conducting free and fair elections, but he suggested that, considering the importance of synchronizing national and provincial assembly elections for the sake of unity among provinces and fiscal responsibility, the ECP should consult with provincial governments and political parties. Additionally, he proposed that the ECP seek guidance from the judiciary, especially given the ongoing legal matters related to this issue.

On the topic of Pakistan-U.S. relations, Miller highlighted the significance of the partnership between the two countries, emphasizing their mutual respect for the relationship at both government and people-to-people levels. When questioned about the recent border tensions at Torkham between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Miller encouraged the two governments to collaborate in resolving the issue diplomatically.

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