ECP briefed on LG polls in Punjab, Sindh

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan was briefed on Monday about proposed schedule for Local Government Elections in Punjab and Sindh Provinces.

Members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretaries Local Government and Provincial Election Commissioners of Punjab and Sindh attended the meeting here.

The Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretary Local Government Punjab and others briefed the Commission on the preoccupation of Provincial and District Administration, which also performs duties of District Returning Officers and Returning Officers, in rehabilitation of the flood affected people and the law and order situation in general and particularly in Muharram.

An earnest thought was given to the schedule submitted before the Supreme Court in present scenario especially regarding the issues of rains and floods, Muharram/Hajj seasons, training of huge number of polling staff and upgrading and printing of electoral rolls.

It was also pointed out that almost all official buildings, schools and hospitals were occupied by the flood affected people and could not be used as polling stations.

The Commission was also informed that more than one hundred appeals have been filed in Punjab and Sindh High Courts regarding delimitations of constituencies which need to be disposed off before issuance of election schedule for Local Government Elections in both the provinces.

It was also considered that in case of issuance of election schedule, corrections insertions and deletion in the Electoral Rolls could not be made.

Last week, ECP’s counsel Munir Paracha had proposed a phase-wise schedule of elections in Punjab and Sindh to the apex court. The schedule recommends holding of elections in three phases with the first on November 14, second on November 29 and the third on December 19.

However, the SC had expressed dissatisfaction over the proposal and sought an explanation regarding delay in the issue.