The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in Islamabad on Tuesday that it would announce the final polling date on Wednesday, state-run PTV reported.

 

The meeting of the ECP has concluded on Tuesday and it failed to work out a schedule for the general elections.

 

During the meeting, the election officials reviewed the feedback from provincial governments on damages, law and order situation and prevailing atmosphere, from the Provincial Election Commissions and the Chief Secretaries, according to the PTV.

 

"Consultations will be made with political parties to decide the final polling date, which was slated on Jan. 8," according to a statement of the ECP after the meeting.

 

The slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, who is the co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party said that any delay of the general elections would be "unacceptable".

 

Local TV channel DAWN NEWS early quoted an ECP official as saying that the polls would be postponed till at least on Feb. 11.     

 

The pro-Musharraf party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid said on Monday that it was prepared for the Jan. 8 elections.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2008)