- SC directs ECP to hold LG polls in Punjab, Sindh on Sept 20, in Islamabad on July 25, in KP on May 30 and in cantonment boards on Apirl 25
Accepting all five local bodies (LB) polls schedules provided by government and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in respect of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad and cantonment boards, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has directed ECP to hold LB elections in Punjab and Sindh on September 20, in Islamabad on July 25, in KP on May 30 and in cantonment boards on Apirl 25.
During the case hearing on Tuesday, Attorney General (AG) Suleman Butt and others appeared in the court and told about the polls schedule, adding that delimitation was still to be carried out in urban areas.
Indefinitely adjourning the case hearing, the court established that now, when the government has given a schedule will all necessary phases complete, LB polls should be held without any further delay.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked, “Time has now come that ECP should exercise its powers conferred upon it by the Constitution with full force. ECP is high-powered, authoritative institution and it has to hold LB polls as per Constitution. It will have to discharge its obligation without caring for anyone.”
The court snubbed Punjab’s counsel when he cited natural calamities as a reason for delay in holding LB polls.
Moreover, seeking a report, Justice Khwaja questioned as to why 17 years have elapsed and elections have not taken place in cantonment boards while Punjab and Sindh have been awaiting polls for 9 years.
