Timely LG polls: ECP proposes legal tweaks

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has proposed changes to the Elections Act, 2017 to facilitate the timely holding of local government elections nationwide.

In a letter sent to the Parliamentary Affairs Division secretary, the polls supervisory body proposed an amendment in Section 219(1) of the Elections Act.

Section 219(1) of the Elections Act in its original form reads: "The commission shall conduct elections to the local governments under the applicable local government law, and the rules framed thereunder, as may be applicable to a province, cantonments or Islamabad Capital Territory."

The proposed amendment by the ECP, however, states: "The commission shall conduct elections to the local governments under the applicable local government law at the time of the expiry of term or dissolution of the local governments, and the rules framed thereunder, as may be applicable to a province, cantonments or Islamabad Capital Territory."

The letter outlining the proposed amendment cites Article 140-A of the Constitution, which requires provinces to establish local government systems by law, granting elected representatives political, administrative, and financial authority.

According to the Elections Act, 2017 (Chapter XIII), the ECP under Article 140-A (2), read with Article 219 (d) of the Constitution, is under an obligation to conduct local government elections.

In the letter sent to the Parliamentary Affairs Division secretary, the election supervisor noted, "Local government is an important tier and bedrock of democracy, which provides basic facilities to the public at grass root level".

"It is observed that no government has generally shown readiness to conduct local government elections and the Election Commission faces difficulties in timely holding of local government elections as mandated under the Constitution and the law," it added.

"In order to fulfil its constitutional obligation, the commission has always strived to hold timely local government elections."