The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has unveiled a revised schedule for the local bodies elections in Karachi announcing that polling would be held in all districts of the metropolitan city on October 23.
The ECP has also sought a report from the provincial election commissioner regarding the LB elections in Hyderabad Division, saying the decision would be taken after reviewing the report.
Polling in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad Divisions was scheduled to be held on July 27 under the second phase of LB elections, but it was postponed and rescheduled to August 28.
However, the ECP again deferred the elections citing “logistic problems” and “non-availability” of security personnel due to difficult “weather conditions”.
At a meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, the ECP Secretary had revealed at that time that rains were “very likely” in the provincial capital between August 24 and 26 which would impact the voting process.
Moreover, the provincial police chief and the chief secretary had submitted in writing that the administration, police and other security officials would be busy in providing relief to the flood victims and hence would not be able to provide security.
Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput has said that CCTV cameras should be installed at 2,573 highly sensitive polling stations.
With the floodwaters receding, the political forces are expected to step up campaign for the LG polls. Opposition parties in Sindh have been blaming the PPP and MQM-P for delaying the local bodies’ elections.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Grand Democratic Alliance accuse the leading parties in Sindh government of shying from the political showdown.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2022.
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