ECP reserves verdict in Sindh LG polls case

MQM-P seeks timeframe of 45 days to enact new laws to hold elections

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday reserved its verdict on a petition by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) seeking the issuance of a restraining order against the second phase of the local government elections in Sindh.

A four-member bench headed by ECP’s Sindh member Nisar Durrani heard the plea.

Barrister Farogh Naseem prayed the electoral watchdog to first fix the constituencies before carrying out the elections, adding that the powers to schedule the polls were indeed vested with the commission but the process warranted due consideration and care.

He furthered that the Sindh government also espoused the assertion that reforms into the very basic structure of the local government elections were needed. “The ECP should not have any objection to this,” he contended.

At this, Nisar Durrani remarked that half of the LG elections in the province have been already held under the existing law and wondered if it would not be strange to hold the second phase of the elections under a completely new regulation.

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However, MQM’s counsel reasoned that such a scenario – where the first phase of LG polls is held under one set of laws while the second under another – was legal and asked the commission to grant him a timeframe of 45 days to enable the provincial government to enact a new law, suggesting the delimitation of constituencies may then follow and complete the task in a similar timeframe.

The ECP reserved its decision after hearing the final arguments.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) had rejected a plea in June from major political parties including the MQM-P to delay the local government elections.

It may be mentioned here that earlier the Sindh High Court (SHC) while rejecting the plea to halt elections had directed the ECP to hold the polls in the province as per the schedule. The first phase of the election was held in June, while the second phase is scheduled for July 24.

Top political parties, including PPP, MQM-P and GDA, had agreed to approach the ECP to delay local government elections in Sindh.

The consensus among the parties emerged during a meeting of the steering committee on changes in local government act in the province.