ECP seeks delimitation rules from Punjab for LG polls

Election supervisor told Punjab govt had still not provided necessary documents and maps required for delimitations

PAKISTAN:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the Punjab government to “immediately” forward the rules for delimitation of constituencies and the Sindh and Balochistan government to provide necessary documents and maps for the local government polls (LG).

The election supervisor met on Wednesday under the chairmanship of chief election commissioner (CEC). The provincial election commissioners participated in the meeting through video link.

Speaking on the occasion, the CEC observed that conducting LG polls in the country was the “constitutional responsibility” of the ECP.

The relevant officers of the local government election wings briefed the session about the preparations for the LG polls in the country.

They noted that the Punjab government had still not provided the documents and maps required for delimitations in the province. It was further observed that all the preparations for LG polls in the cantonment boards were completed.

The meeting was told that a formal request from the federal government for the LG polls in the cantonment areas was to be received.

The ECP directed the Punjab government to immediately forward the delimitation rules and all necessary documents and maps for LG polls in the province. It also sought documents and maps from the provincial governments of Sindh and Punjab government in this regard.

The CEC advised that the seven districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where delimitation of constituencies was postponed be started again and that the interior ministry sends the number of union councils in Islamabad in a fixed time period.

The next meeting of the ECP will be held on May 27.

The provincial secretaries and officials of the local government, interior ministry, Military Lands and Cantonments and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics have been asked to ensure their attendance.