ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that that the local government (LG) polls in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta divisions would be held on Jan 15 as per the schedule.
The verdict was pronounced by the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja on Monday on a petition filed by MQM wherein the latter had challenged the decision of the electoral body for the prospective use of two separate electoral rolls in the coming elections simultaneously.
During previous hearing, the ECP had reserved its verdict on the petition.
A three-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Raja rejected MQM’s petition, saying that polls in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta would be held according to the schedule while considering the previous voter list.
He issued directions to the Sindh government to fulfil all arrangements for the elections, and said that the chief secretary Sindh and the law-enforcement agencies should also ensure that the elections were held on time.
ECP Request for deployment of army and Rangers
Meanwhile the ECP has also requested the Ministry of Interior for the deployment of army and Rangers at the polling stations for the upcoming elections.
Accordingly, a latter was sent by the Director General LG Election Sharifullah, dated Jan 6, to the ministry seeking for deployment of Pakistan Army/Rangers troops outside highly sensitive polling stations along with already-approved Quick-reaction force presence on poling day.
