LG polls in cantonment areas may run into snags. PHOTO: FILE
With dim chances of the four provinces holding local government elections, at least this year, polls in cantonment areas — which are scheduled to be held in the first week of November — are also likely to hit snags.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a letter to the government has expressed its serious apprehensions over possible delay in the local government elections in cantonment areas.
After a meeting with cantonment authorities and secretary defence, ECP on September 10 had announced that elections in 42 cantonment areas will be held in the first week of November.
Sources in the ECP said that the day after the announcement was made secretary defence had approached the commission to apprise it of the Prime Minister’s decision to constitute a 12-member committee which will deliberate on proposed amendments in cantonments act 1927.
In stark contrast, a day earlier he had informed the commission that the Prime Minister had approved the proposed draft of the amendments which had been sent to the President for his approval.
“It was informed that Ministry of Defence sent a draft Cantonment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 on 16.8.2013 and according to the latest information received, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has advised the President and the summary containing the advice has been sent to the President of Pakistan for approval and promulgation of the Cantonment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013” according to the minutes of September 10 meeting.
The changed stance of the defence secretary irked the ECP. In response the Secretary ECP has now written a letter to attorney general expressing apprehensions that a delay in legislation could cause unnecessary delays in holding of polls.
“It will not be possible to hold LG elections in November if the laws were not amended now. The Supreme Court deadline of September 15 has been missed by all the four provinces and the cantonment areas,” a top official of ECP told The Express Tribune.
The Supreme Court had asked the government to hold local bodies elections throughout the country by September 15. However, except the cantonment areas where tangible progress has been made no province is in a position to hold LG polls this year.
The pre-requisite for holding the LG polls is delimitation of constituencies by the provinces, passing of local government laws by provincial legislatures and framing of rules. Some provinces have passed the laws but opposition parties in their respective assemblies have challenged them in courts.
The director general of Military Land & Cantonment Department and defence ministry had informed the ECP that at Ormara Cantonment, there were some issues of census blocks and electoral rolls.
The commission had formed a committee headed by provincial election commissioner, Balochistan. “Since a commitment was made on behalf of Ministry of Defence to complete the process of Local Bodies Elections in Cantonment Boards by 15.9.2013, it was decided that the said ministry will move an application through learned Attorney General for Pakistan by tomorrow ie 11.09.2013, whereby the said Ministry will apprise the Hon’ble Apex Court about the arrangements made and steps taken by both the organisations, ie, ECP and Cantonment Authorities in connection with conduct of elections in Cantonment Boards and will make a request for extension in time for holding the elections in the first week of November, 2013” the minutes of September 10 meeting read.
However, now a new controversy has been generated after the Prime Minister constituted a committee to look into proposed amendments. This can cause delay in holding of polls, ECP officials said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ