ECP postpones re-polling in PB-36 Kalat due to security concerns

Notification asks provincial govt to inform ECP when situation improves and then elections can be held

By Mohammad Zafar Baloch
February 05, 2025
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) signboard in Islamabad. — AFP/File
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) signboard in Islamabad. — AFP/File 

QUETTA: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), at the request of the government of Balochistan, has indefinitely postponed the re-polls at seven polling stations of the Balochistan Assembly Constituency PB-36, Kalat, due to security concerns.

According to a notification issued on Tuesday, the re-polls scheduled for February 9 at the seven polling stations in PB-36, Kalat, have been postponed indefinitely due to the deteriorating law and order situation.

The notification further asked the provincial government to inform the ECP when the law and order situation improves and then elections can be held.

It should be noted that the re-poll was initially scheduled for September 23, 2024, after the Election Tribunal bench, consisting of Justice Abdullah Baloch, de-notified Mir Ziaullah Langove’s victory in the PB-36 Kalat constituency of the Balochistan Assembly. He was removed from the position of Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs on August 21, 2024. The petition that led to his removal was filed by Mir Saeed Langove of JUI, his opposing candidate.

On September 19, 2024, the ECP, at the request of the provincial government, postponed the elections, citing security concerns. Later, the ECP issued another notification on November 13, 2024, and set December 1 as the scheduled date for the re-polls. However, at the provincial government’s request, the re-polls were postponed again, with the new date announced as February 9, 2025.

Now, another notification issued on Tuesday mentioned that the polls have been postponed indefinitely at the request of the provincial government due to security concerns.

It is worth noting that armed militants launched a sabotage attack in the Mangochar area of Kalat on the night of February 1, attempting to establish roadblocks.

The ISPR confirmed the attack, stating that 18 paramilitary soldiers lost their lives, while 12 attackers were killed. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army.