ECP issues revised schedule of K-P LG polls after Supreme Court verdict

Crucial second phase of elections are now set to take place on March 31 in remaining 18 districts

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a fresh schedule for the second phase of local bodies elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), with the polls set to be held on March 31.

According to the election organising body, the Returning Officers (ROs) will issue notices regarding the elections on February 10.

It further stated that the nomination papers for the polls will be received from February 14 to 18, while the preliminary list of the candidates will be issued on February 19.

The ECP said that the confirmed list of candidates participating in the polls and the electoral signs will be issued on March 2 and 4, respectively.

Also read: SC suspends PHC's ruling delaying second phase of K-P LG polls

Earlier today, the Supreme Court suspended the Peshawar High Court’s decision in which it postponed the second phase of the K-P local government election scheduled for March 27.

A two-member division bench of the apex court, comprising of Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, heard the case and issued notices to all involved parties.

On February 4, the Abbottabad bench of the PHC had postponed the next phase of the LG elections, a decision that was welcomed by the Hazara Province Movement, which vowed to field candidates from every district and village council of the Hazara Division, including Battagram, Allai and Torghar.

The high court had directed the electoral body to hold the elections till after Ramazan, keeping in view the harsh weather forecast next month.