KARACHI: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected Sindh government’s request to postpone Local Body polls, directing provincial authorities to ensure law and order are maintained.

A day prior, Sindh government had requested ECP to once again postpone LG polls, citing inadequate police resources to maintain law and order situation in province. In its response, ECP said that maintaining law and order during election is responsibility of provincial government and law enforcement agencies.

“Provincial government should ensure deployment of police personnel during elections in Karachi,” EC said. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja added that EC should contact federal interior and defence ministry to ensure deployment of rangers and Army personnel in sensitive constituencies of Karachi.

During meeting it was learnt that by-elections in nine constituencies of National Assembly and three provincial constituencies will be held on October 16, 2022. The second phase of LG polls was originally scheduled to take place in July, but unprecedented rains and floods hampered commission’s plans to hold election.

In view of shortage of manpower due to flood relief operations and enhanced patrolling in affected portion of roads, Sindh Police has expressed inability for required assistance during LG polls in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, letter said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 05 2022

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