KARACHI: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) expressed its inability to conduct general elections as per schedule if final results of seventh census are not provided to body by March 31, 2023.

In letter to Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives secretary, ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Hussain wrote, "It would be difficult for ECP to undertake exercise of fresh delimitation of constituencies as per Article 51(5) of Constitution, complete other electoral activities mentioned above and conduct of General Election-2023 in time as per Constitutional mandate in case official results are not provided on or before March 31, 2023." He maintained that meeting between Chief Election Commissioner and Chief Statistician was held on December 8, wherein latter informed the former that Council of Common Interests approved timelines for conduct of seventh Population and Housing Census "digitally" in its 49th session.

As per initial plan, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics had to provide provisional results of census by December 31, 2022, to ECP, read letter.

"In meeting, PBS took stance that initially PBS engaged NRTC for provision of software, hardware and allied services, however, NRTC pulled out and showed an inability to provide services resultantly four months delay occurred," said special secretary.

Afterwards, NADRA was engaged for above services. Further, transition of government and economic situation of country caused further delays, read letter.

Commission was informed that as per revised timelines PBS would be able to provide provisional census results to ECP by April 30, 2023.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 17 2022

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