ECP rules LG polls in Karachi, Hyderabad to be held on 15th

The Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday ruled that the local government elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta would be held on Jan 15 as per schedule.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s petition challenging the decision of the electoral watchdog for the prospective use of two separate electoral rolls in the upcoming elections simultaneously.

In the verdict reserved last week, the CEC rejected the MQM-P’s petition, saying that the LG polls would be held as per schedule and on the previous voter lists. The ECP accepted the Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) request to hold elections as per schedule.

Raja directed the Sindh government to complete arrangements for the elections. “The chief secretary and the law enforcement agencies should also ensure that the LG polls are held on time.”

Separately, LG Elections Director General Sharifullah requested the interior ministry for the deployment of army and Rangers troops for the upcoming LG polls.

Read MQM-P’s protest against delimitations on Jan 11

In the letter, Sharifullah said that “static deployment of Pakistan Army/Rangers troops outside highly sensitive polling stations along with already approved QRF (quick reaction force) presence” is requested.

Previously it was expected that the LG elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta divisions would be postponed yet again after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led Sindh government had penned a letter to the ECP citing the MQM-P’s stance seeking correction and changes in the fresh delimitation of LG constituencies in both divisions.

The letter had also mentioned that the MQM-P had moved the Supreme Court for the purpose.

It may be recalled that Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta were supposed to hold the second round of LG elections in 16 districts on July 24 last year.

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However, the Sindh administration had excused itself from holding the polls over the lack of security and police presence because of the floods that wreaked havoc across the country, including Sindh.

Later, the LG elections were rescheduled for August 28.

Moreover, as the elections did not take place on that day, the date was again set as October 23.

However, the polls were postponed on that date too.

The MQM-P has been demanding that the formation of a new local government law should take place in compliance with the Supreme Court’s February 1 verdict of last year. The party believes it would be unfair to hold local elections without first having fresh delimitation without which other stakeholders, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), would gain more advantage.

However, as the ECP had reserved its decision on the applications filed against the voter lists on Friday, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had said that the local government elections in Karachi will not be delayed at any cost.