The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reserved its verdict on Thursday regarding the timing of local government elections in Punjab. The decision follows a request from the provincial government to hold the polls after January 20.
A four-member ECP bench, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case. Representing the provincial government were Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq, the chief secretary, and the secretary local government.
During the hearing, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja noted that a previous meeting between the ECP and the Punjab government’s cabinet committee saw the provincial government propose holding elections between December 15 and January 15.
However, the Punjab chief secretary informed the commission that the government requires two months to finish necessary preparations. He requested that the polls be scheduled after January 20. The chief secretary explained that severe fog in December, specifically in Lahore and other areas of Punjab, along with cold weather and shorter daylight hours, could hinder voter turnout and complicate the management of election arrangements and the deployment of polling staff.
The chief secretary stated that while April would be a more suitable month due to longer daylight hours and school holidays, the provincial government has no objection to holding the polls in January or February.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja observed that the commission will examine the provincial government’s request to hold elections after January 20 before it announces a polling date.
