Islamabad: The Election Commission has written a reply letter to the President, in which the Chief Election Commissioner has refused to meet the President.
In the reply letter written to the President Dr. Arif Alvi, the Election Commission has informed about its decision that currently the Chief Election Commissioner will not meet the President. According to the letter, the National Assembly was dissolved under Article 58 (1) of the Constitution on the advice of the Prime Minister. Section 57 of the Election Act has been amended.
Also read: President’s letter to the Election Commission to fix the election date
The letter states that it is the power of the Election Commission to fix the date of the election after the amendment of the Election Act. According to Article 58-2 of the Constitution, the President can set the date of the election only if he dissolves the Assembly. If the Assembly is dissolved on the advice of the Prime Minister, then the Election Commission has the authority to fix the date of the election.
The Election Commission has further stated in the reply that the points raised in the President’s letter are not applicable in the present situation. After the advice of the Prime Minister, the power of the President under Article 48(5) ceases. The Election Commission is very serious in carrying out the responsibility of conducting the elections.
The reply letter states that the Election Commission has great respect for the office of the President. It is a matter of honor to meet the President and will take guidance from the President on national issues at the appropriate time. The Election Commission believes that the results of the meeting will be marginal.
It should be noted that the President Dr. Arif Alvi invited the Chief Election Commissioner for a meeting to decide the date of the general elections through a letter, in which it was said that the President decided on August 9, 2023 on the advice of the Prime Minister. Dissolved the National Assembly. Under Article 48 (5) of the Constitution, the President is bound to fix a date within 90 days of the date of dissolution for holding general elections to the Assembly.
The letter written by the President added that the Chief Election Commissioner is invited to meet the President today or tomorrow to fix a suitable date.
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