Uncertainty mars LB polls’ preparations

Among the mainstream parties, the preparations for local bodies’ polls are yet to gain momentum due to lurking uncertainty over the future of polls.
There is also a question mark on the intentions of the ruling parties whether they really mean business and serious in organising elections in their respective provinces which carries the spectre of sharing power with their opponents.
The SC has instructed the ECP to hold elections at the dates given by the provinces. The ECP in its own turn has issued a schedule with Punjab and Sindh going to have polls on December 7 and November 27 respectively. But the unanimous resolution of the National Assembly for buying more time has left behind a big question for the main stakeholders if the elections are going to be held as per schedule or whether polls will be held at all in the future.
Due to this uncertainty over the fate of the elections, preparations have not yet kicked off despite not much time left for the political leadership to complete a lengthy process.
One reason for the non-serious attitude of the political leadership is the perception that elections will not be held anytime in near future. The ruling parties in Punjab and Sindh seem least interested in holding polls. Some leaders claim that the PML-N is trying to delay the polls and expect a bail-out through the ECP which once expressed its inability to hold elections in December due to logistical issues. But it appears their trick did not work as the SC is not ready to listen to their justification against the polls.
These circles claim that in Punjab the PML-N is fearful of the PTI as LB polls could open up a new front for the party. In Sindh, the PPP stands to lose Karachi to the MQM.
But the resolution adopted by the National Assembly and reaction shown by all parties towards the schedule announced by the ECP is the latest spanner in the works to hold the election. It must be an awkward moment for both the SC and even the ECP with political leadership anticipating a sympathetic response from the former.
Talking to Pakistan Today, PPP Secretary Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said that after the NA resolution there was uncertainty over the fate of the LB elections. Hence, little activity was being witnessed as far as the elections are concerned, Kaira said, adding that his party’s district organisations were engaged in the process, but overall the leadership is in a limbo.
PML-Q leader Raja Basharat said that no preparations have started as there was uncertainty about the elections being held on time.