Pakistan senate passes fourth resolution seeking delay of February 8 general elections

Pakistan’s senate proposed another resolution on Sunday seeking the postponement of February’s general elections. This is the fourth resolution filed in recent weeks advocating for a delay of the upcoming elections.

The latest resolution was proposed by another independent senator, Hilalur Rehman, belonging to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). According to Dawn, Rehman reasoned that “harsh weather,” “deteriorating security situation” and increasing “terrorist attacks” in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provide grounds for an election delay. He added that all these conditions are limiting the participation of the candidates in their campaigns.

Although the proposed resolution would be non-binding on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), many parties and candidates have termed these proposals a “conspiracy against democracy.”

The upcoming election on February 8 mounts great speculation as many critics have shown concerns about “widespread rigging” by state authorities. This is especially true for former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf (PTI), as he continues to serve a jail term following a corruption conviction. Khan was removed from his office as the prime minister following a vote of no-confidence which was supported by 174 members of the Parliament. The ECP has rejected the nomination papers of many PTI leaders, including that of Khan.

Shehbaz Sharif became the current prime minister of Pakistan after Khan’s removal from office. Sharif was formerly the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. Sharif is also facing corruption charges.