Balochistan parties protest delay in local council polls

Re-elections to be held in 32 wards on March 16.

QUETTA:

Balochistan’s ruling coalition partners and opposition groups protested n Thursday against the extraordinary delay in the final phase of the local council polls whose first two phases were held more than three months ago.

Balochistan National Party-Mengal, JUI-Nazariati, Hazara Democratic Party and Awami National Party voiced their concern over what they termed as ‘unnecessary delays’ in announcing the mayor, deputy mayors and chairman of district committees in the province.

PML-N General Secretary Naseebullah Bazai warned that it would hold protests if the government failed to delay the final phase of the elections any further. “It is a deliberate delay and political parties will intensify their protest if the next phase is not initiated soon,” he said.

Re-elections

The provincial election commission will hold re-election in 32 wards on March 16 in five districts of Balochistan.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Balochistan Election Commissioner Sultan Bayazeed said there will be re-election in 32 wards in Loralai, Pishin, Qila Saifullah and Musakhail districts. He said the next phase will take place after March 20 after a new notification is issued to the elected members.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2014.