LAHORE: The minorities are disturbed due to the elections being held under the Punjab Local Government Ordinance (Amended) 2015 and may boycott the local bodies’ election.

This was stated by leaders of religious minorities in a press conference held at the Lahore Press Club today. Prominent participants of the press conference included Catholic Archbishop of Lahore Sebastian Shah, Bishop Rt Rev Munu Romal Shah, Vicar of Lahore Cathedral Rev Shahid Mehraj, Head of Salvation Army Col Washington Daniel and Sikh leader Bishen Singh. The panellists pointed out the negative effects of Punjab Local Government Ordinance (Amended) 2015 which deprives the voters belonging to religious minorities to elect their representatives through their direct vote in the local Government system. The speakers said they reject the new system that allows political parties to choose their representatives and if left with no option may boycott the local bodies’ election.