General Elections likely to be delayed over Census results

Islamabad: General elections are likely to be delayed for around three to four months while the federal government considered about approving and informing the public of the revised census results.

The preparation of general elections would be postponed by three to four months if the federal government decided to approve and notify the results of the 2023 census.

As per details, the federal government is debating whether to approve the new census results during a session of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

It is expected that the CCI session will be held on July 25.

According to sources, if the census results for 2023 are announced, which would take three to four months, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would be required to finish fresh delimitations.

Further the general elections won't take place until January or February due to the notification of the new census data.

Earlier, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Monday rejected the PDM government’s decision of holding elections on 2017 census.

Siddiqui said during a press conference that Karachi had a population of about 30 million, up from the 2017 census's estimate of 14.9 million.

The census results, he declared, would not be accepted by his party.

Earlier today, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary on Thursday announced that they are fully ready to hold general elections in the country.

In a statement, the ECP secretary stated that if the federal government approves the new census findings, they will decide in accordance with the law.

"We sent the electoral reforms committee more than 60 recommendations. The electoral reforms committee agreed with almost all of ECP's suggestions". 

The secretary stated, "However, the formal announcement for the acceptance of the recommendations is yet to be made."