ECP suggests holding Sindh, Punjab local body elections in February and March

ECP urges Sindh High Court to hold Local Body elections on Feb 23 in Sindh, and March 13 in Punjab.


APP January 08, 2014
LB elections are heading Sindh and Punjab's way. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Election commission of Pakistan (ECP) suggested in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that Local Body (LB) elections in Sindh could be held on February 23 and in Punjab on March 13.    

ECP representatives appeared before a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani during the hearing of the delimitation of constituencies case and decision of the Sindh High Court (SHC).

The apex court also accepted the Sindh government's appeal against SHC's verdict which had declared fresh delimitations before the upcoming LG polls as as illegal. The court had sought details of the amendments in the legislation made by the SHC.

During the course of the proceedings, ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed apprised the bench that Printing Press Corporation of Pakistan had sought a three weeks time for printing ballot papers.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) counsel Farogh Naseem pleaded that the Sindh High Court verdict was applicable and the electoral process should not be stopped.

He pleaded that the Sindh government had revised number of illegal provisions in the legislation and made delimitations according to their will and sought a quick judgment instead of providing interim relief.

Upon query, Advocate General Sindh Khalid Javed apprised the bench that the legislation was made in speed to comply with apex court's order and there was possibility of some mistakes

The AG pleaded before the apex court to suspend the SHC verdict.

While accepting the application of the Sindh government, the apex court fixed the matter for hearing on January 27, and clubbed all applications filed by individuals in this regard.

The hearing for LB polls in Punjab will take place on January 13.

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