Govt responsible for not holding LB polls timely : ECP tells IHC

ISLAMABAD, Dec 30 (Online): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared government responsible for not holding Local Bodies (LB) polls timely.

ECP has filed written reply in Islamabad High Court (IHC) with regard to postponement of LB polls case.

It has been said in the reply that federal and provincial governments are responsible for holding LB polls in time.
The ECP while giving proposal for not making change in the law and making amendment in article 140-A of the constitution and election act-219 before election has said it is serous in discharging its constitutional obligations to hold LB polls.

ECP took the plea in its reply election commission ordered for holding LB polls timely and it was nullified by high court. We will hold election under section 219(1) keeping in view local government laws. However when the preparations are completed the process of holding polls in time is hampered due to change in law s by federal and provincial governments.

ECP said section 219 (1) and (4) are in conflict with each other. Section 219(i) gives mandate of holding LB polls in federation and provinces under local government laws. It is mandatory for ECP to hold LB polls within 120 days. But federal and provincial governments make changes in the laws then we face difficulties in holding polls.

It has been clarified in the reply the proposed amendment in the laws is aimed at preventing federal and provincial governments from making amendment in the laws before the election gets close.

The ECP has prayed the court to reject the petition of the petitioners.

The ECP told the court in its reply that law ministry is ready to hold LB polls within four months but the interior minister has sought time for consultation with the federal government.