ISLAMABAD: Election Commission (EC) ordering Punjab government to enact Local Body (LB) laws within 7 days warned contempt proceedings will be initiated against Punjab government in case of non-cooperation. Petition in connection with LB polls in Punjab came up for hearing before a 3-member bench of EC led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja here yesterday.

CEC said during hearing of petition where is Secretary Election Commission. Call him. His presence in this case is must. Special secretary EC told tenure of Punjab LG was completed on December 31, 2021. EC issued election schedule on April 14, 2022 for LB polls in Punjab. Lahore High Court issued stay order on it. Punjab government has promulgated ordinance just now for new LG election.

Ordinance or its rules were not shared with us. CEC remarked we have got done delimitation of constituencies twice. Expenses have been incurred on it. These expenses be recovered from Punjab government. Contempt proceedings be initiated against Punjab government. Tell estimate of expenses. Special Secretary EC said earlier there was village and neighbourhood council in Punjab which has been changed. Now they have brought union council in Punjab.

Secretary election commission Umar Hamid said funds in respect of LB polls have not been provided. LB ordinance will be made law therein. Only there is one issue of Electronic Voting Machine which is under debate. CEC said investigation has been made on EVM in world. Only two countries Brazil and India are using EVM. There is no local body government in Punjab since last 10 months.

No government wants to hold LB polls. CEC said we will hold no more meeting with Punjab government. Now we will decide. We are sending reference to Supreme Court that Punjab government is not holding LB polls. Punjab government is not implementing SC orders therefore, contempt of court proceedings be initiated against it. EC adjourned hearing of case till October 27.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 19 2022

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