Punjab Agrees to Hold Local Government Elections Between Dec 15 and Jan 15
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Punjab government have agreed to hold local government elections in the province from 15th December to 15th January.
Under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, a high-level meeting was held to finalise the timeframe for local body elections in Punjab in which the ECP was briefed on the completion of the delimitation process. In his address, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja stated that holding local government elections is a constitutional mandate as per Article 140A in the Constitution and the commission has the mandate to hold local government elections within 120 days of the expiration of the term of local councils as per the Elections Act.
Prep work and stages for administration.Preparation and gradual approach to administration.
Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique said that the Punjab Chief Minister is of the view that holding local body elections is a top priority of the government, however sufficient time and resources are needed to organize the elections properly. The mid-December to mid-January period was suggested with the weather conditions and the academic exams in mind, he said.
The Punjab Chief Secretary, in the meantime, reported to the meeting that the provincial government would like the local elections to be held in a phased way. The ECP then ordered the provincial administration to present a detailed plan that specifies the stages for conducting the polls.