ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the case concerning local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja observing that political governments, rather than the commission, were reluctant to hold local polls.
The verdict will be announced on Wednesday. During the hearing, a bench headed by the chief election commissioner examined the provincial government’s request to defer local government elections in 12 districts, citing law and order concerns and the imposition of emergency.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Adviser on Law, Amir Javed, told the bench that an emergency had been imposed in various districts of the province on October 11, while troops had also been deployed in certain areas under Article 245 of the Constitution.
He argued that holding local government elections in the 12 districts was not possible under the prevailing circumstances. He also cited the imposition of governor’s rule and the absence of provincial ministers, saying the government needed time to address the situation in accordance with ground realities.
The adviser requested additional time to consult the attorney general and the governor on the matter.
The chief election commissioner questioned whether these were the only grounds for not holding the elections, asking why polls could not be conducted despite delimitation having been completed in 16 districts.
He observed that the public believed the ECP did not want to hold local government elections, whereas the reality was that political governments were reluctant to conduct them.
“The truth should come before the public,” he remarked, adding that the commission would issue an order on the matter.
Raja further observed that holding local government elections despite governor’s rule or an emergency would be an achievement for the provincial administrative setup.
During the proceedings, the ECP secretary said elections could be held even during emergencies and wars, citing international examples in support of his argument.
ECP officials also informed the bench that there was no legal bar on conducting local government elections during an emergency, adding that law and order concerns were a separate matter.
The commission reserved its verdict, which is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
