ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday announced the holding of much-delayed local bodies elections in Punjab in the last week of December on the basis of Punjab Local Government Act, 2022.
Prior to the issuance of the order, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the matter.
On notice was the secretary local government and community development.
“…The Commission in exercise of powers under Articles 218(3) read with 140-A. 220, 219 of the Constitution read with Section 219 of the Elections Act.2017 and the directions of the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan reported as 2021 SCMR 714 has decided to hold the Local Government Elections in the Province of Punjab on the basis of existing Local Government Law ie Punjab Local Government Act, 2022 and the Rules framed thereunder,” reads the order.
The forum also directed the office to initiate the process of delimitation from Thursday (today) and complete it within two months after which the election programme will be announced and the election shall be held in the last week of December. The order emphasized that it was the constitutional obligation of the Commission to organize and conduct elections in accordance with the Constitution and law. It was pointed out that the Supreme Court had also held in a number of judgments that the Election Commission was bound by the Constitution and law to ensure timely elections.
The Commission also noted that that all possible efforts had been exhausted for the conduct of local government elections in Punjab but each time the government acted in a dilatory manner to delay the conduct of local government elections on one or other pretext.
Earlier, the chief election commissioner observed that the Commission will take a decision during the day (Wednesday) itself, and delimitation will start from tomorrow. He also noted that on Tuesday, a government minister stated that the Election Commission should decide, and ‘we will hold the election.
“They themselves are delaying the election and saying that the Election Commission is delaying,” remarked the CEC.
He said the local government elections were not held in the largest province of the country, which is a matter of shame not only for the Election Commission but also for various governments, as all the governments during this period did not want the local government elections to be held.
“The LG elections were not held in Punjab and Islamabad. The time has come for the Election Commission to decide on it. We should use our authority to announce the election; the Election Commission is reserving the decision. If there are so many opponents, then amend the Constitution and law that there should be no local government. The Election Commission will announce the decision on the Punjab local government today,” he made it clear.
