ECP is reserving judgement in the case of the delayed LG elections in Karachi.
After hearing the complaints about the local government elections in Karachi, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) deferred its decision on Tuesday.
The case was heard by a five-member court presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
The ECP issued a statement that read, “The election commission made every attempt to organise local government elections in Karachi, but there are also some ground realities.”
The election authority stated in its statement that the commission will soon make its reserved judgement, which may become effective.
Muhammad Ramzan Malik, Joint Secretary of the Interior Government, had earlier informed the CEC-led ECP panel that the ministry was unable to supply civil armed troops because of the current circumstances.
CEC Sikandar commanded, “Explain in a phrase what you wish to express.” An official from the interior ministry stated, “Forces are busy; they could not be provided for the election.”
The government of Sindh stated that it is now unable to organise elections. Elections must be held; you have deprived us of this authority, the CEC said. Ikramullah Khan of the ECP questioned “under which rule you have changed the local government law.”
According to CEC, provincial governments do not plan to hold local government elections. The elections in Punjab and Sindh must be held because they cannot be based on what you are saying, the CEC remarked.
The first round of local elections in Sindh has concluded, according to the administrator of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, “while in Karachi we are ready to hold elections in two stages.”
Elections for local governments have twice been postponed because of flooding, according to Wahab. He stated that there was still floodwater in a 25 to 30 percent area. The CEC remarked, “Yesterday you declared that you are ready to organise elections.” The administrator said, “Sindh government is prepared to host local government elections, but security is required.” “We don’t want claims that the government manipulated the results of surveys. The local council elections would be postponed for 90 days by the Sindh government, he said.
The government’s decision to postpone local government elections was supported by IG Sindh Police as well. We are short 17,000 employees, so any unfortunate thing might occur, he added. The poll can be held per the election commission’s directive, but there would be security concerns, according to IG Sindh. According to LG Polls, there were 30 injuries and 17 fatalities due to violent crime in 2015.
