ISLAMABAD - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said Tuesday that it could not issue schedule for local government (LG) elections in Punjab and Sindh as the provinces had not yet fulfilled the required formalities ahead of polls coupled with excuse of Punjab that its staff was engaged in relief efforts in the wake of floods.
The ECP in a statement said that the two provinces had not completed the legal formalities required for the purpose of polls. It said there were rules that had not yet been formulated by the provinces.
"In the absence of prescribed rules, the printing of nomination papers are not possible for supply to the returning officers," the ECP said, adding, that Sindh intended to make amendments regarding direct and indirect election for which necessary legislation would be made on August 7 this year.
Similarly, the provinces had not displayed final list of delimitation of constituencies that could enable voters to identify flaws or question the accuracy of vote. The electoral body added that these kinds of jobs should be done by respective provinces in order to enable ECP to conduct polling exercise.
As for Punjab, the ECP said that it had also made certain amendments in Punjab Local Government Act 2013 for which the relevant changes were to be carried out by the provincial government which were still missing.
"The above activities have not yet been completed and at least 10 to 15 days are required for its finality after receipt of revised rules," the statement said.
Moreover, Punjab has expressed grave 'concerns' about sparing its administrative officers (district returning officers (DROs) and ROs) for election process and training due to their urgent engagement in rehabilitation of the people affected by floods.
"Punjab argues that issuing of schedule should be delayed keeping in view the devastation caused by floods," it added.
The ECP said it had already approached Supreme Court for granting extension in time for issuing of schedule on August 17 instead of July 28, adding the electoral body expected desired decision from the apex court in its next hearing.
However, the ECP made it clear that in case the apex court did not grant extension for schedule, the commission would give a go-ahead for issuing of election schedule in order to abide by the order of Supreme Court that wanted polls in Punjab and Sindh on September 26.
Punjab has also informed provincial election commission that delimitation of constituencies has not yet reached its completion for which delimitation officers have been engaged in finalising the formality at the earliest.
ECP officials told The Nation later that the fate of LG polls in Punjab and Sindh lied with Supreme Court as the ECP was bound to obey the orders of the apex court. "It depends on Supreme Court whether it grants or refuses extension to ECP in terms of issuance of schedule," the official said.
But ECP officials believe that Punjab and Sindh actually delaying the completion of required formalities only to inform ECP later that LG polls can be conducted only in phases as the required rules cannot be made overnight.