LAHORE - The PML-N has started distribution of forms for the award of party tickets in the upcoming local government elections.
The PML-N leadership has directed the party organisations at the district level to give forms to the aspiring candidates in the LG polls. In many districts of the Punjab the distribution has been started while in others process would commence after Eidul Fitr.
The local government elections in Punjab are due to take place on September 20 under the Supreme Court order however doubts still shrouds this date as the Election Commission is opting for phased wise elections in the province to avoid unrest and slow polling which had marked the May30th LG polls in Khyber PK.
In case of phased elections, sources say a slight change in the election date may take place provided it is permitted by the Supreme Court. The Commission also has to announce final delimitations of the LG constituencies for which it has already gone beyond stipulated time. At present it is dealing with the complaints received on the delimitations throughout Punjab.
Distribution of forms started in Lahore on Wednesday at the party office. On the first day about 200 people collected forms for various offices including Chairman, and General councilors. The process will continue until July 25. The time frame may be changed to extend date for getting forms in view of the schedule to be announced by the EC for the elections. The district Lahore comprises 274 Union Councils and the PML-N is poised to field candidates in every council and contest elections for all seats.
It is reliably learned that the city orgnanisation of the PML-N has required the candidates who had filed nomination papers in December 2013 for the LG polls, to file the forms afresh since situation has changed after new delimitations of wards and union council under the auspices of the Election Commission. Positions of many wards stand changed in the new delimitations.
Sources in the party say that those who previously filed nomination papers on the basis of party ticket will again be duly considered for the contest.
They further say that at the present the number of candidates for each UC is 13 and this number is being cut down to eight to avert unnecessary confusion to the voters, and save time in the vote casting. They say it is being considered to retain two votes each for Chairman and Vice Chairman and six general councilors seats. The rest five members on reserved seats, including women, minority, labourer, youth and peasant, they said would be picked up on the same pattern designed for the reserved seats in the assembly.
The PML-N is entering the LG elections with eye at PTI, PPP and JI as opponents. Party sources say that so far the leadership has not taken into account electoral alliance or seat adjustments with other parties. However they did not rule out the chance of seat adjustment with JI in central Punjab and with electable independent candidates in the South Punjab.
The PML-N has formulated six-member committees comprising legislators and the district president and secretary of the party organisations to select candidates for the LG polls at various level in every district.
Over it a two-member committee has also been set up to supervise while MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif has been appointed as incharge of the whole LG polls. The party has decided to leave the constituency open where more than one candidate will ask for the party ticket and adopt the winner in the party after the election.