LB polls in Punjab on January 30: ECP

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday announced that the local bodies’ (LB) polls in Punjab would be held on January 30.
According to the schedule‚ nomination papers would be received from December 22 to 27. Objections to the nomination papers can be filed on December 29 and scrutiny would take place from December 30 to January 4.
Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers would be filed on 6th and 7th and these will be disposed of from 8th to 11th of January.
Nomination papers can be withdrawn by 12th and the list of contesting candidates with symbols would be published on 13 January.
The ECP has also issued directions to ensure holding of elections fairly and to guard against corrupt practices.
All executive authorities in the federation and provinces will not use state resources in the elections calculated to influence them in favour of a particular candidate.
Any official misusing his position would be proceeded against under the law. No postings and transfers of civil servants would be made after issuance of election schedule and the prime minister‚ governor‚ chief minister‚ speaker‚ deputy speaker‚ members of federal and provincial cabinets or any holder of public office will not visit the area of any local government to announce any development scheme or campaign for any candidate or any political party.
During this period, no deputy commissioner or DCO would perform protocol duty with any VIP.
The commission has clarified that while filing nomination papers afresh‚ there will be no need to deposit nomination fee for those candidates who have already deposited it.
Meanwhile, the ECP has categorically stated that the LG polls in Sindh would be held on January 12. The schedule of Sindh polls would be announced on December 13, it said.
The commission also said that if the Sindh government wanted delay in elections, it should approach the Supreme Court.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the provincial government was finalising arrangements to conduct local bodies (LB) elections as per the ECP schedule.
Talking to reporters, the minister said the Punjab government would comply with the directives of the ECP to hold the polls. He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would not make electoral alliance with any party in the province.
However, the PML-N could enter into coalition with other political parties in other three provinces, he added.