Sultan Sikandar Raja, Chief Election Commissioner, stated that they have held local government elections in three provinces so far. The Election Commission has a constitutional and legal duty to hold them in Punjab and Islamabad as well, and it is ready to do so.ECP Ready for Punjab and Islamabad LG Elections.
Key Points Discussed During The Meeting ECP
Leadership Of The Meeting And Attendance: The Chief Election Commissioner convened a meeting to discuss the local body polls in Punjab and Islamabad. All four members of the Commission—the Secretary Election Commission, the Federal Secretary Interior, the Chief Secretary Punjab, the Secretary Local Government Punjab, and the Chief Commissioner Islamabad—attended the meeting.
Present Situation and Legal Complications: Mr. Sikandar Raja referred to the present situation and explained that some legal complications were delaying the LG polls in Punjab and ICT. However, he assured that ECP is prepared for this purpose. In Punjab, they have already completed the delimitation work, and in Islamabad, they will finish the delimitation of current Union Councils and Wards according to the 7th National Census by July 23.
Instructions for Compliance: He directed officials to fulfill all legal formalities regarding holding LG elections without delay so that ECP can take immediate steps.
Updates from Officials ECP
Federal Secretary Interior & Chief Commissioner Islamabad: Khurram Ali Agha and Muhammad Ali Randhawa informed the Commission that they have sent a summary on conducting local government elections in the federal capital and a notification regarding specific seats for the Metropolitan Corporation to the Prime Minister’s office. CCLC has already approved the necessary amendment in Section 17 of the ICT Local Government Act 2017.
Chief Secretary Punjab: Zahid Akhtar Zaman briefed that they will present the required amendments to the Local Government Act 2022 and a new draft law for holding LG polls to the provincial cabinet within the next few days.
The process of delimitation of new local areas and determination of the number of members of councils light new census also started.
These steps would ensure holding local government elections in Punjab and Islamabad without further delay, which is necessary to fulfil the constitutional requirement and strengthen local bodies.
