Govt submits LG polls schedule before deadline

By
AFP
|
Govt submits LG polls schedule before deadline
ISLAMABAD: Abiding by the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s orders of submitting the reply before 8pm, the Attorney General on Wednesday night apprised the court that the local government (LG) elections in Cantonment Board would be held on May 16.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, was hearing the case pertaining to local bodies elections across the country.

The court had earlier sought the schedule for the LG elections in cantonment board areas, Islamabad, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 7:45pm tonight from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The AG during the proceedings said that the local bodies elections in Sindh and Punjab would be conducted in three stages next year. The polling for the first stage would be held on January 16, second on February 20 and the third stage would be held on March 26 in 2016, he added.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, polling for the local government elections would be held on June 7 this year, said the AG.

He apprised the bench that the prevailing electoral lists were based on the 2013 general elections and at least 45 days would be required to prepare fresh lists.

The bench, however, rejected the proposed schedule and directed to submit a reviewed one on Thursday.

The court also directed the Attorney General to present a report regarding election preparation on March 10.

Justice Khawaja had earlier remarked that the chief executive should appear before the court in person and explain the reasons as to why the holding of LG polls in Cantonment Board areas is not being taken seriously.

He said the court was tired of giving dates upon dates for fixing the schedule and it was time to stop ridiculing the Constitution.

Justice Khawaja further said that a contempt notice has been issued to a Prime Minister in the past and he was forced to leave the office while another took his place.