WASHINGTON, Dec 31: The United States on Monday urged Pakistan to hold national elections on Jan 8 if possible, warning that an indefinite delay will further complicate the situation.

“If elections can be held in a safe and secure way, and in a positive way, on Jan 8, then that’s probably what should happen,” State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

Mr Casey said that the US would not object to a short delay if the opposition parties also accepted this or if there were technical barriers on holding the elections as scheduled.

“The key here is that there be a date certain for elections in Pakistan,” he said. “We would certainly have concerns about some sort of indefinite postponement of the elections. We very much want to make sure that there is a clear date set for the Pakistanis to be able to elect their new government,” he added.

Another State Department official told reporters that if the election was delayed Pakistan should also announce a new date for the polls. At the White House, spokesman Scott Stanzel also endorsed the demand for holding the elections soon.