Mahmood Khan Achakzai demands postponement of the presidential elections  till the electoral college is completed

ISLAMABAD, March 08 (SABAH): Just hours before the presidential elections going to be held tomorrow (Saturday), the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai has demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postpone the polls till the electoral college is completed.

In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, Mahmood Khan Achakzai stated that the electoral college as “prescribed by law and Constitution” for a presidential election was “still incomplete” because “some reserved seats” in the National Assembly and all provincial assemblies are still vacant.

“…As yet no one was elected on those reserved seats and without nominations and proper election on these seats, if the presidential election is conducted as per the schedule that would be a denial of their votes, which otherwise is against the fundamental rights, law and constitution,” stated the letter, written by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who is contesting the election against PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

The presidential candidate added that the electoral college cannot be completed till the seats are filled. He added that till the seats are not filled the presidential polls would be “illegal, unlawful and against the spirit of the Constitution”.

He also mentioned the Peshawar High Court (PHC) stay order on the reserved seats which he believes would give a “clear verdict” in favour of the PTI-backed party.

“Under the above circumstances, it is submitted that the proposed election to the office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is clearly impossible, therefore the same may kindly be postponed or delayed till completion of electoral college accordingly in the best interest of justice, fair play and equity,” said Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Presidential elections will be held tomorrow (Saturday) to elect the 14th President of Pakistan for next five years. Asif Ali Zardari, the joint candidate of PPP and the PML-N, and Sunni Ittehad Council’s candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai are vying for the office of President.

The President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of the Senate, National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies. Voting is held through a secret ballot.

A joint session of the parliament will be held at the parliament house in Islamabad tomorrow (Saturday) in which the members of National Assembly and the Senate will exercise their right to vote. Similarly, the provincial assemblies will hold their sessions tomorrow (Saturday) for the election. Polling will begin at 10:00 AM and continue till 4:00 PM.