LG polls — another delay
LG polling has been postponed for so long that it's become difficult to conduct it smoothly, without controversy
It is the body that must finally ensure that LG polls in Sindh and Punjab are conducted so that a basic requirement of our system is met. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
The conduct of the provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh has made it quite clear over time that they are not too eager to conduct local government (LG) elections in their respective territories. This reluctance is the reason why LG polls that should have been held years ago in these provinces have been delayed year after year, thereby depriving the people of what is a basic constitutional right.
It now seems that even after the Supreme Court stepped in and asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in March this year to announce a poll schedule by July 28, the balloting process may not go ahead on time, yet again. The provinces have said that administrative officials are busy with work linked to the recent floods and are therefore unable to carry out the tasks of arranging for the printing of ballot papers or completing delimitations. They have requested at least 15 more days for this work to be completed. In response, the ECP has asked the apex Court for time up to August 17 to enable it to announce a schedule.
The situation is essentially a ludicrous one. The LG polling process has been deliberately postponed for so prolonged a period of time that it has become increasingly difficult to conduct it smoothly and without controversy. We have fallen out of step with our Constitution. Time and again, minor excuses have been used to justify these delays even though the administrative failures amount to denying people the right to choose local representatives, who can play a major role in helping manage their administrative affairs. There can be no excuse for this failure. The ECP has consistently passed the blame on to the provinces, and has also asked that the LG polls be held in phases, given the problems that arose during recent polling in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. But essentially, it is the body that must finally ensure that LG polls in Sindh and Punjab are conducted so that a basic requirement of our system is met. These polls have already been held back for far too long without any good reason and it is the people who suffer as a result.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2015.
It now seems that even after the Supreme Court stepped in and asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in March this year to announce a poll schedule by July 28, the balloting process may not go ahead on time, yet again. The provinces have said that administrative officials are busy with work linked to the recent floods and are therefore unable to carry out the tasks of arranging for the printing of ballot papers or completing delimitations. They have requested at least 15 more days for this work to be completed. In response, the ECP has asked the apex Court for time up to August 17 to enable it to announce a schedule.
The situation is essentially a ludicrous one. The LG polling process has been deliberately postponed for so prolonged a period of time that it has become increasingly difficult to conduct it smoothly and without controversy. We have fallen out of step with our Constitution. Time and again, minor excuses have been used to justify these delays even though the administrative failures amount to denying people the right to choose local representatives, who can play a major role in helping manage their administrative affairs. There can be no excuse for this failure. The ECP has consistently passed the blame on to the provinces, and has also asked that the LG polls be held in phases, given the problems that arose during recent polling in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. But essentially, it is the body that must finally ensure that LG polls in Sindh and Punjab are conducted so that a basic requirement of our system is met. These polls have already been held back for far too long without any good reason and it is the people who suffer as a result.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2015.