ISLAMABAD: Amid allegations of rigging in Feb 8 polls, the Senate is all set to meet today (Monday) for the first time after general elections.

According to a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat, President Arif Alvi summoned the Senate session on Feb 19. “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President has been pleased to summon the Senate to meet,” it said.

It must be noted that the president is bound to convene the National Assembly’s session within 21 days after the election day, which means the fresh NA session must be held till Feb 29.

Earlier, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) had sought a discussion on conduct of elections and its impact on the country in the upper house of parliament.

In a calling attention notice submitted to the Senate, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza called the Senate’s attention towards the “situation arising from recently held elections in the country”.

In the notice, Senator Murtaza raised concerns over the role of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), caretaker government and state institutions in the conduct of elections.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2024