Balochistan LG polls 2nd phase set for Aug 28

ISLAMABAD:

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that the second phase of local government (LG) elections will be held on August 28 in Balochistan. As per the notification LG polls will be held in Quetta, Lasbella, union councils (UC) 4, 9, 15 and 16 of Musakhail, UC 12, 13, 14, 27 of Mustung, UC 26 in Jaffarabad and several UCs of Daki, Chaghi and Zob districts.

Nomination papers could be submitted from July 14 to 18 and the candidates would be issued electoral symbols on August 5. As per the Free and Fair Elections Network (FAFEN) report, due to cultural taboos, lack of education and awareness, in recent local government (LG) polls phase 1 in Balochistan no woman contested elections on any general seat in 10 districts – Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Nushki, Chagai, Zhob, Sherani, Killa Saifullah, Harnai, Ziarat and Surab. Only 132 women (less than one per cent) contested in various wards in urban and rural councils of Balochistan, says the report. Balochistan completed the first phase of the local government (LG) polls to elect over 6,000 general councilors.

The polling remained controversy-free followed by prompt acceptance of the results by all major political parties. Despite sporadic illegalities and irregularities, the elections remained largely peaceful, orderly and better-managed.