ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the Punjab government to finalize the legal framework for local elections without delay. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja emphasized that conducting these elections is a constitutional duty of the commission. However, he expressed concern that no provincial government is fully prepared for the process.
A full bench, led by the Chief Election Commissioner, heard the case on local elections in Punjab. The Chief Secretary and Secretary of Local Government Punjab attended the hearing.
The Election Commission said it struggled to hold elections in three provinces and cantonments. The Chief Election Commissioner said provincial governments delay elections by changing laws.
The Election Commission Secretary said Punjab has changed election laws five times. The commission has conducted three rounds of delimitation and prepared electoral group lists twice. Yet, local elections in Punjab have not been held.
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The Punjab Chief Secretary said the draft of the Local Government Act has been presented in the assembly. Once the law is complete, rules will be made. He assured full support for the elections. The Election Commission said it will start delimitation as soon as the legal process is finished.
