- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP):Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Monday stated that Punjab will be required to hold local government elections once the Election Commission issues the order as three provinces have already conducted their elections.
A five-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case concerning the delay in Punjab’s local government elections.
During the proceedings, the Punjab Minister for Local Government informed the commission that a draft of the rules is available and can be provided. He further stated that the legislation for local government elections in Punjab is under review by the standing committee, with efforts underway to accelerate the legislative process.
He added that the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly has been requested to expedite the process.
The Chief Election Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction, stating that despite repeated opportunities and having the government in both the federal and provincial setups, elections were not conducted in Punjab.
Election Commission Secretary Omar Hamid stated that the tenure of Punjab’s local governments ended on December 31, 2021. He further remarked that both the Punjab government and the federal government in Islamabad have shown little interest in holding local government elections, resulting in a three-year delay.
Chief Election Commissioner stated, “In the next hearing, the Election Commission will issue an order for local government elections in Punjab. The commission cannot remain idle—some results are now expected. There must be progress in the next hearing. We will issue the order and set the timeline ourselves, without seeking one from Punjab.”
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja stated that he had personally appeared before the Supreme Court in the local government elections case, emphasizing that it’s unacceptable for a provincial government to avoid legislation and delay elections for five years.
He further said the Election Commission has the authority to summon the Chief Minister of Punjab and, if local government elections are not held in Islamabad, even the Prime Minister can be summoned.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has indefinitely adjourned the hearing on the delay of local bodies elections in Punjab.