The Punjab government has finalised a date for holding local body elections in the province.
According to the report, the provincial government has informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that it would be ready to hold local body elections on December 7.
In its request to the ECP, the Punjab government stated that objections regarding delimitation would be removed in a week, following which, the notification for delimitation would be issued.
The PPP and PTI have expressed their reservations over the Punjab government’s announcement to hold the elections on non-party basis.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought replies from the Punjab government and Election Commission of Pakistan (EC) over the demarcations for the local bodies’ elections.
Hearing a petition on the delimitations aimed at defining constituencies and units for the upcoming local bodies elections, LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said courts were defending the interests of the people and would continue to do so.
The petitioner alleged that although fresh delimitation for the holding of local government elections was the prerogative of the Election Commission, the Punjab government was interfering in the matter and trying to influence the outcome.
The petitioner moreover requested the court that the Punjab government be barred from calling the shots over delimitations.
Responding to the petitioner’s concerns, the court said the law was the same for everyone and no one would be allowed to violate it.
The court adjourned the hearing until October 24.
