ISLAMABAD: A meeting of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) discussed the schedule of local government elections in Balochistan and asked the provincial government to hold polls in time.
The meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza which was attended by ECP members, Secretary Babar Yaqoob, Balochistan chief secretary, law secretary and Balochistan local government secretary besides advocate general and ECP senior officials.
Balochistan chief secretary informed the meeting that Balochistan government has continued working on its proposal of some amendments in present Local Government Act.
He said Balochistan government has requested the ECP for rescheduling of present delimitation process and holding of local government elections in November 2019.
However, the ECP made it clear to the representatives of Balochistan that under Article 140 (A) of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Section 219 (4) of Election Act 2017, it is constitutional responsibility of the ECP to hold local government elections within 120 days of expiry of term of local bodies.
He said it is now not possible to make any major change in schedule of delimitation in order to hold local government elections in time.
The ECP said under Article 220 of the Constitution, instructions have been issued to the Balochistan government for holding of local government elections in time.
It added that the ECP will not accept any delay and asked the provincial government to cooperate with the ECP in this regard.
APP