Pandemic delayed mayoral elections, ECP tells court

IHC reserves judgement

ISLAMABAD:

The election for the mayor of Islamabad has been delayed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday. IHC reserved its judgment on a petition pertaining to the elections of mayor for the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) filed by three deputy mayors. IHC Justice Farooq remarked that there were weaknesses in local body system, how could this court rectify it. The most powerful people were living here in federal capital but the city was still ignored, he said. The petitioner's lawyer Sardar Timur Aslam said that the mayor election has been repeatedly delayed. Now that the term is coming to an end, the government is holding the elections to get an undue advantage in the polls due next year. The court asked ECP lawyer why the mayoral election in Islamabad was not held. The lawyer of ECP said: “We want to hold elections but we can’t because of Covid-19.” The bench remarked that there should be a new model and separate assembly for Islamabad. Chief Commissioner was running the affairs of the city and he had been given three posts, Justice Farooq observed, and expressed concern over the Capital Development Authority's role in this regard. The court remarked that work on cleanliness of the city resumed after several years, adding that the posh areas are still in poor shape. Justice Farooq heard the arguments and reserved his verdict. Justice Farooq remarked that the local body systems work on the ground the world over while MNAs make laws. Sardar Taimoor Aslam, petitioner for deputy mayors said the mayor's tenure will end on February 25. The court asked that only few days are left then why is ECP conducting elections for mayor now. ECP's lawyer said the electoralcollege notified the polls per the law.