Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Murtaza Solangi, addressed concerns on Monday about the alleged financial crisis facing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in preparation for the upcoming general elections. Earlier reports suggested that the Ministry of Finance had not released funds to the ECP, prompting the ECP to summon the finance secretary and consider reaching out to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
According to ECP sources, although Rs42 billion was allocated in the budget for this year’s general elections, only Rs10 billion had been released by the finance ministry. The remaining Rs32 billion, crucial for holding the elections on February 8, 2024, had been delayed without explanation. Despite multiple appeals to the finance ministry, the funds had not been released, causing concerns.
Contrary to these reports, Minister Solangi clarified that there is no financial crisis for the ECP. He explained that the cabinet had approved Rs42 billion for the ECP’s budget, of which Rs10 billion had already been released. Solangi assured that the remaining Rs17.4 billion requested by the ECP would be released as needed, emphasizing the commitment to supporting free and fair elections as mandated by the constitution.
In response to the ECP’s concerns, Finance Secretary Imad Ullah Bosal attended a meeting with ECP officials. During the meeting, Bosal assured that the required funds would be disbursed within the next two days to meet the ECP’s financial needs.
The backdrop of potential delays in general elections has been a recurring issue since the dissolution of the assembly by the previous government. The delay in polls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, coupled with the ongoing constitutional and legal debates, has added complexity to the situation. The history of delays, including those related to funds and security concerns, raises the specter of a further postponement if the required funds are not released in a timely manner.
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