ISLAMABAD – February 1 (ONLINE): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday took notice of violation of electoral code of conduct in Punjab just before the local body polls and directed the Punjab government to pass Local Government Act 2019 from assembly as soon as possible.
According to details, a meeting of ECP was held under the chair of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja to overview arrangements regarding conduct of LG polls in Punjab. Members of ECP, Secretary ECP and other ECP officials were part of the meeting while Secretary Local Government and Director Local Government represented provincial government in the meeting.
Secretary ECP told meeting that process of constituencies’ zoning was under way in Punjab. Provincial government has presented the Draft Election Rules before the ECP as per Punjab Local Government Ordinance. ECP has completed its further framework and provincial government would be apprised about the development within next two days.
CEC Sikandar Sultan directed Secretary Local Government that local government ordinance 2019 must be passed from Punjab’s legislature assembly soon.
Secretary Local Government told meeting that provincial government wants to conduct Punjab LG polls in two phases. In the first phase, local body polls would supposedly take place in DG Khan Division, Multan Division, Bahawalpur Division and Gujranwala Division. The elections would take place between May 15 to May 31, this year.
ECP members noted that schedule for LG polls would be designed by the Electoral body but provincial government’s suggestions would be entertained.
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