ECP cancels meeting with political parties to discuss LB polls

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has cancelled a meeting with representatives of political parties to hold consultations over the local bodies’ elections.

The ECP had originally called for the meeting at 10:00 AM on Friday. The commission said the meeting had been canceled after a resolution seeking a delay in local bodies’ elections was approved in the National Assembly.

Earlier, after visiting the ECP, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the printing of ballot papers was not possible within 20-25 days. He added that the ECP was experienced and should resolve the matter on its own.

According to Dar, if the government was involved in the process of printing ballot papers it would cast doubt on the transparency of the elections.

During the National Assembly on Friday, a resolution seeking delay in local bodies’ elections was approved unanimously. According to the resolution submitted by PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, it was difficult to conduct polls on the dates announced by the ECP.