After the SC forced the government to move
While elected governments are in the driving seat since 2008, they have yet to learn how to manage the machine at their disposal. Vital decisions have often not been taken on time. Things have gone out of hand on other occasions. Occasionally the governments displayed double-mindedness and made blunders. This has allowed other institutions like the army and the judiciary to encroach upon the civilian government’s turf. The latest example is the order given by the Supreme Court regarding the holding of the Local Government elections in the four provinces and the cantonment boards according to a prescribed schedule. In an ideal situation the interference into what constitutes the elected government’s realm would be considered highly undesirable as it weakens the constitutional system. But when the government fails to take timely decisions, this is bound to happen.
Holding Local Government elections regularly is a constitutional requirement. The cantonment boards fall under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry but polls have not been held here since 2000. After the 18th amendment LGs have fallen under the purview of the provincial governments which organised the last polls ten years back in 2005. Ever since then federal and provincial governments have continued to delay the elections on one pretext or another ignoring repeated reminders from the Supreme Court.
The SC finally made it known that it might issue contempt notice to the PM in case of further postponement. After rejecting earlier schedules of LG elections presented by the ECP, it has itself given dates for the elections. The LG polls are a vital part of the system and ensure taking democracy to the grass roots. What is more, LGs are the best forum to relieve the grievances of the man in the street and to plan for and deal with disaster-like situations including city fires, rains and earthquakes. There is a need on the part of the federal and provincial governments and opposition parties to start making preparations for the polls which would hopefully be completed this year.