Polls put off until Feb 18
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has delayed general elections in exercise of the powers conferred on it in Article 6 of the Election Commission Order 2002. The power conferred to the Commission in the said article read with Section 11(A) and Section 25 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 and all other powers in that behalf empower the Election Commission to delay the polls.
ECP on Wednesday decided to delay polls by forty-day period on the basis of reports received from the provincial chief secretaries and election offices as well as informal consultation with political parties. Article 254 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 also provides that when any act or thing is required by the Constitution to be done within a particular period and it is not done within that period, the doing of the act or thing shall not be invalid or otherwise ineffective by reason only that it was not done within that period.
ECP held detailed meetings in the last three days besides seeking reports from the provincial governments and holding consultation with the political parties on law and order situation and overall environment before reaching the decision to delay elections. Deeming the atmosphere not conducive for holding polls on January 8 due to fierce agitation in the wake of assassination of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto that caused damage to election offices and polling material, the ECP delayed the polls.
Elections will be delayed six weeks until Feb. 18 because of unrest following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, authorities said Wednesday. Opponents condemned the postponement but said they would take part in the vote anyway. The polls — seen as a key step in Pakistan’s transition to democracy after years of military rule — had been scheduled for Jan. 8.
Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party believes the government is not sincere in holding fair elections, but the party’s central executive committee decided to take part in the polls anyway, committee member Nabeel Gabol told The Associated Press. The party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif quickly followed suit. “We will not leave the field open for the king’s party under any circumstances,” party spokesman Ahsan Iqbal told the AP, referring to the ruling party, which is allied to President Pervez Musharraf.
The opposition alleged authorities were postponing the polls to help the ruling party, amid expectations that Bhutto’s group could get a sympathy boost at the polls. The ruling party could also suffer a backlash. Bhutto had accused elements within the group of plotting to kill her, a charge it vehemently denies. It was not immediately clear if Bhutto’s party would pursue threats to take to the streets because of the delayed vote. Earlier, party Sen. Babar Awan warned that the delay may trigger street protests and riots.
Pakistani elections will be delayed until Feb. 18 because of violence following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, authorities said Wednesday, ignoring threatened street protests by opposition parties. The polls — seen as a key step in Pakistan’s transition to democracy after years of military rule — had been scheduled for Jan. 8. The opposition alleged authorities are postponing the polls to help the ruling party, which is allied to President Pervez Musharraf. Many believe Bhutto’s party will get a sympathy boost if the vote takes place on time.