STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: After thorough consultations and delays Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to hold local government polls in Hyderabad and Karachi on the 15th of January 2023.
The five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja issued the orders here on Tuesday.
Earlier July 24th was scheduled for election day, which was later on postponed a number of times (August 28, October 23, and November 23) due to a request by the Sindh government to provide the reason for the lack of police officials and other officials being busy in the flood relief work.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) criticized the Sindh government for delaying tactics and accused the PPP-led government of avoiding possible defeat in local body polls.
In the recent order, issued by the ECP, directions were given to the Sindh government, chief secretary, and others to arrange an agreeable number of security forces for election duty at the polling stations, along with other requirements comprising assigning duties of returning officers, polling staff, and transportation of material for polling.
The ECP’s recent orders came in the context of the instructions from the Sindh High Court to issue the schedule for local body elections in Hyderabad and Karachi in 15 days.
PTI, JI hail decision
Leaders from PTI and JI hailed the decision and termed it as a result of their efforts and building pressure on the Sindh government. Commenting on the decision PTI leader Ali Zaidi said that it was due to their long effort that finally they received the date for the election.
He added Sindh government has failed to ensure a law-and-order situation in the first phase, however, they will not allow anyone to create any mishap in the coming phase.
Raja Arif Sultan paid thanks to the ECP and Sindh High Court and added that the credit goes to the leaders and workers of JI, as they had 29 days set-in in front of the Sindh Assembly for taking final dates for the election.
It is worth mentioning here that PTI and JI have submitted pleas in the Sindh High Court about the delay in the local body polls in Sindh.
