IT is critically important that the next general elections are held in a manner that certifies that they are free, fair, transparent, and credible. They should also fulfil all constitutional requirements. It is in this respect that the Election Commission of Pakistan has written letters to the relevant stakeholders demanding that the results of the seventh population and housing census should be published by year end. As reported in this newspaper, the ECP has dispatched formal correspondence to the parliamentary affairs and planning ministries and well as the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to remind them of the need for completing these constitutional requirements within the given time frame. According to the schedule, the census exercise has to start by Aug 1 and the results should be handed over to the ECP by Dec 31. The ECP is bound to start the delimitation of constituencies after the census result is officially published.

If the elections are held at the stipulated time late next year, then the ECP has plenty of time to get the delimitation of constituencies done according to the latest census. It would also have sufficient time for the revision of electoral rolls and other formalities that need to be completed before the elections. The government too will need to legislate electoral laws well in time so that the ECP can incorporate them into its plan for holding the elections. In this respect, it is important that the fresh census is completed on time and that it addresses all the problems and complaints that made the previous exercise controversial for parties like the MQM. The coming elections will be held in a very polarised environment, and this makes it even more important that the ECP take all steps necessary to avoid any fresh controversy. Such steps should also include ensuring that foreign observers are invited well in advance so they can all complete their formalities on time. However, it must also be said that the ECP should keep itself prepared for early elections. If need be, and if time does not permit, then the ECP should be open to using data from the previous census to get the delimitations done if elections are to be held on short notice. It is the ECP’s responsibility to be ready at all times and not link this readiness to any particular event or issue that can cause delay.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2022