Balochistan election commissioner said holding LB elections in Balochistan will be harder than general elections. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
QUETTA:
More than two thousand candidates have been declared successful without even contesting the local bodies’ elections in Balochistan. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) displayed the final list of candidates for LB polls on Thursday.
More than 22,000 candidates had submitted their nomination papers for 7,190 seats, of which 1,391 nomination papers have been rejected. As many as 635 candidates filed their appeals with the election commission against the rejection of their nomination papers.
Addressing a news conference Balochistan Election Commissioner Syed Sultan Bayazid said the final list of candidates has been displayed and they are allotted election symbols. “Election will be held on time. We are doing our best and so far we are right on schedule.”
Of the 2,332 candidates elected unopposed, 140 were elected as District Council Members as no one submitted nomination paper for the 508 seats. 1,939 candidates were elected unopposed on a total of 5,498 Union Council seats. Election will be held over 4,350 vacant seats during the LB elections on December 7.
Bayazid said that candidates have submitted nomination papers even after the attack on two offices of returning officers. He said holding the LB elections in Balochistan will be more difficult than general elections. “I am in touch with all returning officers and they had not lodged any complaint about law and order situation,” he added.
“There are sensitive areas and security plan will be prepared in consultation with local administrations.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.
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