Punjab proposes holding local government elections in three phases in April

LAHORE: The Punjab government appears set to delay the long-awaited local government elections in the province once again, despite the polling schedule proposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), it emerged on Thursday. Earlier this month, the electoral body proposed holding local government elections in Punjab on December 14 and sent a draft of the suggested schedule to the Punjab chief secretary for consultation. The Punjab cabinet has instead proposed holding the elections in phases on April 4, 11 and 18, following recommendations by a ministerial committee formed to consult the ECP on the conduct of local government elections in the province. In this regard, the Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department wrote to the ECP on Wednesday.

The letter, which conveyed the ministerial committee’s decision, cited smog, dense fog and adverse winter weather conditions expected during December and January, followed by the commencement of Ramazan in February, as reasons for not holding the elections as scheduled. The letter said the cabinet’s ministerial committee had held its second meeting on October 5, during which it deliberated at length on the ECP’s draft election schedule. The committee discussed scenarios arising from the likely tough weather conditions and Ramazan, the letter stated. It proposed holding the local government elections in phases to facilitate the effective deployment of election staff and security personnel, the efficient transportation of polling materials, better administrative oversight and improved accessibility for voters. The phased approach would also help avoid adverse weather conditions typically experienced during December and January and the period immediately following Ramazan, the letter said. The letter added…