AS the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), on Monday, assured a PPP delegation that there would be no delay in the conduct of the general election, the de-facto head of the party and former President Asif Ali Zardari said that it would make no difference if the general election is delayed by eight to ten days, saying that factors such as adverse weather conditions or security situation in the merged districts (erstwhile FATA) may impact the schedule of the polls. A day earlier, another PPP leader Abdul Qadir Baloch proposed that instead of the entire country, elections can be put off in areas under security threat.
Interestingly, the PPP delegation, which met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, sought clarifications from the Commission about the fate of the 8 February polls and got the required assurance but at the same time its Co-Chairman was agreeable to somewhat delay on weather or security concerns. It seems the PPP is trying to play on both sides so as to make adjustments as per ground realities. Highlighting potential contributing factors that may delay the polls, Zardari pointed out that weather conditions and existing conflicts, particularly in the merged districts, could play a role in the decision-making process but added that a decision in this respect rested solely with the ECP. Zardari expressed belief that the elections would take place, irrespective of whether they are held on 8 February or any other date. Mr. Zardari, who earlier opposed handing over power to Bilwal Bhutto Zardari because of his inexperience, has amended the notion by declaring that he himself, besides Bilawal and Syed Khurshid Shah, could be a candidate for the office of the Prime Minister. He obviously wants both PPP workers and supporters to keep on guessing on the issue till a final decision is made based on the electoral outcome.
