**The Pakistan Bar Council has condemned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to press ahead with fresh delimitations, **

The PBC in a statement expressed concerns over the country’s top electoral authority’s inability to hold polls within 90 days. The official handout was issued by PBC Executive Committee Chairman Hasan Raza Pasha and Vice Chairman Haroon Rashid.

The reaction comes after a day the ECP said that the process of delimitation would probably be completed by December 14, over a month beyond the constitutionally mandated timeline to hold elections. Reports said that participants agreed that elections were not possible in the 90 days stipulated by the constitution.

The PBC said that elections should be held within the stipulated period, citing that the schedule of re-arrangement of constituencies was apparently a delaying tactic.

Article 224 (time of election and by-election) of the Constitution bounds the ECP to conduct general elections within 90 days, said the PBC and added that it was necessary for the continuation of the democratic process of the country.

“Elections are the only way out of the worst economic situation. Free and transparent elections should be held on time,” said the statement.