Local govts LG representatives to be sworn in on January 14

LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected local government representatives for January 14 (Thursday).

An official communiqué issued by the ECP states that the commission has nominated all returning officers as presiding officers for the purpose of administering oaths to the local government representatives in their respective jurisdictions. The commission has sought their availability on Thursday at 11:00am for the oath-taking.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Union Council (UC) 212 chairman-elect Rana Akhtar said there was some uncertainty among newly-elected members about what would happen next. “Everyday, we get to hear new rumors. The oath-taking ceremony will dispel those,” he said. Tariq Ali, another newly-elected chairman, said that the local governments should be formed as early as possible. “Newly-elected members are waiting to resume their offices. I believe some legal hurdles are behind the delay,” he said.

Muhammad Dastgir Khan, UC-206 chairman, said he was unaware of the oath-taking schedule. “Nobody has informed me about the schedule and the venue,” he said. “I have already started monitoring development and social work in my area. This [oath-taking] is merely a formality,” he said. Akhtar, another UC chairman, said that his party had already instructed him to visit the UC office in the area. “After the oath-taking ceremony, we will formally take charge of our offices. However, there is a shortage of furniture there,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.