ECP cancels LG elections' schedule for Punjab, Sindh
Says new election schedules will be issued in the provinces after taking necessary steps.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Election Commission of Pakistan has formally cancelled election schedule for local government elections in Punjab and Sindh.
Notifications to this effect issued by the Commission says that new election schedules will be issued for conduct of local government elections in the two provinces after taking necessary steps and completion of pre-requisites in due course of time.
Meanwhile‚ Secretary Election Commission Ishtiak Ahmed has said new schedules for Local Bodies Elections Punjab and Sindh will be issued after completion of amendment in laws‚ rules and delimitation process.
Talking to media in Islamabad‚ he said a meeting to review the progress on laws and delimitations will be held on Wednesday.
He said before issuance of new schedules‚ both the provinces will be taken on board.
Earlier, the Supreme Court allowed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue new schedule of local government (LG) elections in Punjab and Sindh.
The court ordered to issue schedule after finalizing all arrangements.
The Supreme Court resumed hearing of a case pertaining to the LG polls in Sindh and Punjab on Monday.
During the course of proceedings, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted its reply in Supreme Court.
In its reply, ECP said that it was not possible to hold polls on scheduled dates in Sindh and Punjab, adding that there was no way other than to cancel the schedule.
The bench later allowed ECP to make changes and issue new schedule. The hearing has been adjourned till first week of February.
According to the old schedule, the ECP announced to hold LG polls on January 18 and 30 in Sindh and Punjab respectively.
Addressing the media, Election Commission secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed said the schedule for Cantonment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad have not been changed, adding that nothing can be said about the new dates for Sindh and Punjab at the moment.
He said new dates will be announced after meeting all the formalities.
ECP sectary also said that Sindh and Lahore High Court had already declared delimitation of new constituencies null and void.
