ISLAMABAD – After nearly two years of political uncertainty and acute economic crisis in the country, Pakistan finally announced the date for the general elections 2024.
At a meeting at the Presidency on Thursday, President Arif Alvi and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja agreed on the date for the next general elections in the country i.e. February 8, 2024.
The announcement came after an ECP delegation led by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan called on President Arif Alvi to finalise the date for the next general elections in Pakistan.
A statement issued by President Alvi’s office said, “It was unanimously decided that the election will be held on Thursday, February 8.”
After a detailed discussion the meeting unanimously agreed to hold General Elections in the country on 8th February 2024.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 2, 2023
The meeting was held after the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consult the president on the election date and inform the top court on Friday (November 3, 2023).
At Thursday’s hearing of the petitions calling for general elections across Pakistan without any further delay, the ECP told the Supreme Court that elections would be held on February 11, 2024. However, the SC told the commission to consult the president.
On today's order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Sikandar Sultan Raja, along with the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mr. Mansoor Usman Awan, and four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, came to meet pic.twitter.com/1uXi7v7Y7N
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 2, 2023
The court — in the order issued after the hearing — had instructed the AGP to arrange a meeting between Raja and Alvi, provide the president with the court order, and be available to render assistance.
“We expect that the matter of appointing a date for holding general elections shall be settled, and this court will be informed tomorrow (Friday),” the SC said in the order.