The new schedule was recommended by ECP in a letter which was later converted into a petition. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The decision was made during a hearing of a petition related to the issue.
The ECP suggested new dates for elections in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in a letter written last night, which was later converted into a petition and admitted for hearing.
The new schedule states that elections in Sindh should be held on January 18, 2014, Punjab on January 30 and on any date in February in K-P and cantonment boards.
Reportedly, a senior ECP official wrote a letter to the SC registrar yesterday, explaining the problems with holding elections on the earlier announced dates.
The SC registrar asked for a new schedule and a second letter was written with new dates. This letter – which was reportedly kept a secret - was converted into a petition.
The apex court had earlier rejected a petition filed by the commission, seeking a two- to three-month delay in the deadline for local bodies elections. The ECP had said that credible elections were not possible in the given time-frame and that there were many lacunae in the local government laws of Punjab and Sindh, while both provinces had also not finalised the delimitations.
The National Assembly and Sindh Assembly had also passed resolutions, calling for delay in polls.
Previously, the chief justice had remarked that the delay in the LB election is a serious loss to the country as there have been no local governments for many years.
COMMENTS (9)
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Finally some sanity prevails. One point still not clear what is the main reason for holding elections in each of the provinces after so much gap? Why some elections are in a rush while Punjab and KPK get the max time no rush there?
Election Comission also failed in extending lb elections in balochistan, and silly reason is provincial government is ready when a massive earthquake hit awaran. people lost lives ,and homeless ,with their identity cards dumb under ground. they stole their chances of contesting in lb elections . Premature Decision
Good to see some progress on this front resulting from Supreme Court's steadfastness. Left to the wadera dominated political parties of Pakistan it would have been another 40 years before we would have seen these elections taking place. It's important for Pakistan's citizens to know that only they can change the fate of their country. Elect good people who can deliver, then hold them responsible. People of other nations have sacrificed a lot to attain their progress and their freedom. Organize committees on a neighborhood level to insure that your elected representatives deliver on their promises. It will take time but change will come. Local bodies elections is a first step in that direction.
That's good news. Governments and Election Commission must be given full time to prepare for LB polls.
This is not a news, all know the conclusion.
Good to see common sense prevail...Could have avoided the whole mess in the first place by simply having the ECP onboard in the first incidence when the dates randomly given by Provinces were chosen as the election dates - with less than 45 days notice given to the ECP to do the thankless job.
Much the best and excellent decision taken by Supreme Court because thus political parties and election commission shall not have any pretense to delay the local government's elections' dates more and printing press can also easily print ballot papers and magnetic ink can be prepared easily before the these new announced dates for local government's elections......