Bangla Press Desk: Passing strong remarks on the delay in holding local government elections in Punjab, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja Thursday hinted at the Election Commission of Pakistan taking matters into its own hands to hold the poll exercise.
The chief election commissioner made these remarks while hearing a case pertaining to the delay in LG polls in Pakistan’s population-wise largest province. The forum formed a committee, directing the provincial government to sit with it in relation to the resolution of related issues by February 10.
At one point, the Chief Election Commissioner asked the Chief Secretary Punjab to inform the chief minister about the seriousness of the issue and contended that it would be a shame if the Election Commission takes any further action and, if necessary, he will call the chief minister of Punjab on February 20.
He said that if the commission feels the need, it will take matters into its own hands and conduct elections. “It is a matter of shame that there will be no local government in Punjab from 2021,” he regretted.
The chief election commissioner said that if local government is not necessary, then there should be no need for a provincial government either. The Election Commission adjourned the hearing further until February 20.
Since the expiry of the term of LG government in 2021, the electoral exercise could not be held so far due to one reason or the other with the opposition alleging the ruling party fears defeat in the grass-root level elections and squarely blames it for the delays.
BP/TI
