Sindh govt calls for delay in LG polls

Reacting on statement of Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Sharjeel Memon about delay in the local government elections, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has demanded that the authorities concerned hold micro-level elections in the province as soon as possible.
The party also overruled possibility to join the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Sindh government and clarified that meetings of the PPP and MQM leaders was a routine matter.
The PPP claimed that the delimitation of constituencies required time and if the micro-level elections were delayed for a few days then it would be helpful for the provincial government to hold elections in a transparent way.
On Sunday, Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Sharjeel Memon said that holding local government elections in January are not doable and said that the provincial government needed some time for holding micro-level polls in a transparent way. He urged the authorities concerned not to make haste in announcement of election schedule and stressed that use of magnetic ink should be made mandatory for holding transparent elections.
“The MQM is a democratic party and we want local government election on time so that the powers could be transferred to the lower level,” MQM Central Information Committee member Ameenul Haq said.
“MQM has completed its preparations for micro-level elections in Sindh and the party would contest from all over the province,” he said, adding that “The party wants local bodies polls on time for the completion of democratic transition on lower level.” He also overruled possibility of joining Sindh government and said that meetings with PPP are a routine matter. “We are playing role of good and effective opposition in the provincial legislature and would also play our due role in future as well,” he maintained. To a question regarding resignation of ex-city nazim Mustafa Kamal, he said that the party had not received any written application from the senator so far.
“Delimitation of the constituencies is a time consuming process and the provincial government needs some time to complete it before going to local bodies elections,” PPP Karachi Division Information Secretary Latif Mughal said.
“Some political parties have filed applications against delimitation which also make the process complex and time consuming,” he maintained.
“We think there should be mass campaign in Sindh regarding local bodies election in the province to ensure maximum participation of the general public which also need time,” he said, adding that “As the local bodies elections in Sindh would be held on political basis, the political parties are facing difficulties in formation of panels and if the date of election extended then it would be helpful for political parties to form panels effectively.”