In a recent announcement, the Election Commission of Pakistan has officially set the date for the general elections to be held in the last week of January 2024. Originally slated for October of the same year, this decision comes as a consequence of the early departure of the Shehbaz Sharif government and the necessity for a new census, which subsequently led to the redefinition of constituencies.
The preliminary list of constituencies is set to be unveiled on September 27, with the final listing expected to emerge on November 30, following a period of addressing complaints and comments on the preliminary lists.
The forthcoming elections will span a 54-day period, culminating in the final week of January 2024. This timeline was further affected by the installation of a caretaker government in August, resulting from the exit of the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition just prior to completing its tenure. The previous government had also stipulated that the elections could only proceed once a new census had been conducted and new constituency boundaries established. Notably, this redistricting process had raised concerns that the elections might experience further delays, as it was anticipated to take approximately four months to complete. The Constitution, however, mandates that the Election Commission of Pakistan finalize the delimitation process within 120 days.
These impending elections occur amidst a backdrop of political turmoil, with the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and a significant crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has affirmed the interim government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the democratic process in Pakistan and has pledged not to allow any delays.
This electoral shift signifies a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s political landscape, poised to reshape the nation’s future direction.
