ECP unhappy with Punjab, KP; postpones hearing of cases

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over non-provision of maps and other documents from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that are needed for delimitation of the local bodies’ constituencies.

The Election Commission has also postponed hearing of various cases for two weeks in view of the threat of spread of the coronavirus in the country.

To this effect, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over the Election Commission’s meeting to review the measures so far taken by the provincial governments with regards to holding of the early local bodies elections.

The provincial election commissioners and Additional Director General of the Military and Cantonment Board Dr. Naeem Chaudhry gave briefing to the forum on this count and the meeting deliberated upon the poll-related preparations.

While reviewing the preparations, the meeting was informed about the non-provision of necessary documents, including maps from the governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Election Commission expressed its dissatisfaction on this and directed for writing to the respective chief secretaries of the two provinces for immediate provision of the documents required so that the process of holding of the local bodies’ elections could be initiated.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission also decided to delist the cases for hearing in view of the coronavirus and postpone hearing for two weeks.

“On the directions of the Election Commission, it is notified and circulated for information for all the concerned that on account of prevailing situation due to spread of COVID-19, coronavirus in Pakistan, as precautionary measure, the Election Commission had directed that the cases fixed before the Election Commission on March 19, 24, 25 and 26 stand delisted and the same shall be re-listed thereafter,” a notification issued by the Election Commission says.