ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election body has refuted speculations surrounding a potential election delay, cautioning that legal action could be pursued against those disseminating misleading information about the scheduled general polls in February next year.
Earlier this month, the electoral body, in consultation with President Dr. Arif Alvi had agreed to hold general elections in the country on February 8, 2024, following the Supreme Court’s direction.
Despite the ECP’s announcement and the subsequent waning of rumors regarding an extension of the caretaker setup, some political figures and analysts persisted in casting doubt on the timely occurrence of the elections.
In a statement today, an ECP spokesperson labeled media reports suggesting an election delay as “baseless and misleading.” The spokesperson refuted claims that voters’ lists were not being prepared, terming such reports as “completely false.”
ECP Takes Notice of Baseless Claims of Election Delay
The ECP spokesperson also revealed that the commission has approached the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to take legal action against those “spreading misleading news.” The ECP has requested transcripts and recordings of news related to the alleged election delay broadcast on various channels.
In another statement, the ECP clarified that the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is currently in the process of printing the final voter list. The distribution of the list has commenced in several districts, countering reports suggesting that the voter list is not yet ready.
Following a recent meeting, the ECP announced that the final list of newly defined constituencies for the upcoming polls would be released on November 30, bringing the country a step closer to the much-anticipated general elections of 2024.
The Supreme Court had also warned against speculation, negative news, and analysis regarding the conduct of elections, stating that PEMRA is there to take action on such media reports and analyses.
