Candidates on Friday started submitting nomination papers for the local government (LG) elections in Balochistan.
According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), candidates in all districts of Balochistan can submit their nomination papers till April 18. They can submit their nomination papers to returning officers (ROs) in their respective districts. The names of the candidates would be displayed to the public on April 19 across the province and the process of scrutiny would follow soon. Elections will be held on May 29.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo on Thursday said that the provincial government was ready to hold LG elections as per schedule in the province. In a policy statement, he said all institutions had been entrusted with the task of holding polls in the province.
“Fair and transparent elections would be ensured throughout the province,” Bizenjo added. He however mentioned that the provincial government had desired to delay the elections due to financial issues and the fast-approaching fiscal budget.
The provincial government would provide all possible resources for holding the polls, the CM assured, noting that LG system guaranteed the empowerment of masses at the grassroots level and his government was a strong supporter it.
He however made it clear that the polls would be held on political parties’ basis. The CM statement came two days after the Balochistan High Court (BHC) dismissed a petition seeking a delay in the LG polls in the province.
The provincial government had also written a letter to the ECP to delay the elections citing political, administrative, and financial concerns.
On Thursday a three-member bench of ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the petition of Balochistan government.
The bench rejected the appeal for delay and reiterated that elections will be held as per schedule on May 29 in 32 districts of the province with the exception of Quetta and Lasbella districts.
There are 838 union councils in these 32 districts. The number of rural wards is 5,345 while there are 914 urban wards. There are seven municipal corporations and 60 municipal committees.
Chief election commissioner said that there will be no further delay in the LG polls in Balochistan. He maintained that the resolution passed by the provincial assembly was of no importance in this regard.
Meanwhile, political parties across Balochistan have welcomed the announcement and instructed their workers to expedite efforts to make sure success in the polls. They have started corner meetings to muster the support of the voters.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2022.
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