ECP has the authority to postpone elections: Rana Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD– Rana Sanaullah, the interior minister, has stated that the nation’s general elections must take place concurrently.

He expressed concern to the media that if elections were held in stages, no one would accept the results. According to our understanding, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to do so, Mr. Sanaullah said in reference to the PTI’s Supreme Court petition regarding the ECP’s decision to postpone elections. The minister claimed that parliament had carried out its duty at the appropriate time, perhaps alluding to the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, which was introduced into the National Assembly on Tuesday night.

Mr Sanaullah said that unfortunately decisions were taken in the past which created rift in society. A decision of the Supreme Court could not be an internal matter as the whole nation was connected with this matter, he added. The ambiguity on this issue should be removed and it could be removed by a full court, he continued.

He expressed hope that the apex court would guide the nation on the issue.