First phase of LB polls in Punjab, Sindh now on Oct 31

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday decided to hold the first phase of local bodies (LB) polls in Punjab and Sindh on October 31, reviewing its earlier proposed schedule.
In a statement issued by the ECP, it was announced that both the provinces had requested for a review of the polls schedule in view of the flood situation, involvement of district administration and law-enforcement agencies in the rehabilitation process and maintenance of law and order during Muharramul Haram. The ECP will issue a notification about the first phase on August 26.
In the first phase, the electoral exercise will be held in 12 districts of the Punjab and eight districts of Sindh. The schedule for the second phase will be notified on September 3, whereas the schedule for the third and last phase will be notified on September 21. It is expected that there would be no review of the schedule from now on.
It may be pointed out that the ECP has deleted the districts of Rawalpindi and Attock from the first phase of local bodies elections after criticism from some opposition parties. It was alleged that this was an attempt to appease the ruling PML-N by holding polls in all those districts where the party enjoyed significant support. Now only the district Chakwal of Rawalpindi Division is part of the 12 districts where polls will be held in the first phase.
Under the earlier schedule, the ECP announced the first phase of polls on October 12, the day the month of Muharram will start. The Punjab districts where polling will be held in the first phase include Lodhran, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Bhakkar, Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujrat and Chakwal.
Eight districts of Sindh, which have been chosen for polling under the first phase, include Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Kandhkot.
Returning officers will issue a public notice on September 1, while the candidates will file nomination papers with returning officers on September 7-11. Scrutiny of the same will be conducted on September 13-18 while the date of filing of appeals for and against acceptance of nomination is September 24, whereas the last date for deciding appeals by the tribunals is September 30.
The Election Commission has fixed October 01 as the last date for the withdrawal of candidature while the revised list of candidates will be issued on October 02.
Under the second phase, polling in 12 districts of Punjab and 15 districts of Sindh will be held on November 11, whereas voters will go to cast their vote in the third phase on December 03 in 12 districts of Punjab and six districts of Sindh, all belonging to Karachi, marking completion of the electoral exercise in Pakistan’s two largest provinces in terms of their population.