ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday issued an order regarding the schedule of local bodies (LB) elections in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the cantonment boards.
According to the order, LB elections will be held on April 25 in the 43 cantonment boards and on May 30 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) informed the Supreme Court that local government elections could be held in Punjab and Sindh on September 20, 2015 if two new printing machines are provided to the printing corporation.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawad S Khawaja was hearing the case pertaining to holding of local bodies polls.
During case proceedings, the apex court once again raised objection over new election schedule. Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked that polling dates should be reduced further as constitutional sections cannot be ignored.
The bench also rejected ECP’s plea to hold LG elections in cantonment boards on May 2, 2015 instead of April 25.
Neither we have any personal interest in the local government polls nor the court is against the election commission, Justice Khawaja stated. He said it was responsibility of the ECP to conduct these elections which it did not fulfill.
Secretary ECP Sher Afgan prayed to court that the commission is ready to hold local government elections in Punjab and Sindh on September 20 this year if two new printing machines are provided to the printing corporation.
He also withdrew recommendation of holding elections in three-phases in both provinces. The court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit written schedule of LB polls in Islamabad by March 10.
INP