Tariq Qadri said holding the elections on January 18 is a very difficult task for them, but they have no other option. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Though the date set for local government elections is approaching fast, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seems unsure if the polls in Sindh could be held on the scheduled date, January 18.
The recent development has come to the fore after the Printing Corporation of Pakistan informed the ECP officials that it would take an additional 10 to 15 days to publish the ballot papers.
"The officials of the printing corporation have demanded time for the publishing of the ballot papers. Therefore, we are consulting higher officials and seeking a viable solution. It could lead to an extension in the election date," a senior official of election commission told The Express Tribune.
Official said that the final list of the candidates would be published on January 13, 2014, and they are expected to send the particulars of the candidates to the printing corporation for the printing of ballot papers on the same day. It means the latter has to finish its task within two to three days - which is not possible.
"We have to transport the ballot papers to urban and rural areas a day before the elections. It is a very difficult task, therefore we may again approach the Supreme Court to seek time till February 5, 2014," said the sources.
When contacted, provincial election commissioner SM Tariq Qadri said holding the elections on January 18 is a very difficult task for them, but they have no other option. "We cannot defy the apex court's order. It will be best if elections are delayed for three to four weeks," he said.
He further said, "We are field officers. It is the Election Commission of Pakistan or the Sindh government that will approach the Supreme Court to seek a delay."
Sindh advocate-general Khalid Jawed Khan said that they had requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold the polls in March, but the officials turned down their plea. "When we requested, they insisted they would obey the Supreme Court's orders. Now, we have nothing to do with them."
He said that now it was the EC's prerogative whether or not to hold the elections on time. "The Sindh government can make arrangements to facilitate the election commission," he added.
The advocate general, being a chief law officer of the province, denied the reports that the provincial government would knock on the doors of the apex court for extension.
The process of submission of nomination papers is going on in Sindh. The district returning officers have started receiving the nominations from December 26, 2013, and this process will continue till December 29. After that the objection to the nomination forms will start on December 31. The scrutiny will take place between January 1 and January 5, 2014. The appeals against acceptance and rejection will be filed between January 6 and January 7, 2014. The date for the disposal of the appeal has been fixed between January 8 and January 11, 2014. Meanwhile, January 12 has been fixed as the date for withdrawal and the final list of candidates will be published on January 13, 2014. Earlier, the election commission had issued the scheduled to hold the polls on November 27, 2014, in the province, but it postponed the elections with the permission of Supreme Court following the request of the provincial government and political parties.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2013.
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