ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday expressed its inability to hold local government elections in Sindh and Punjab within the proposed schedules, DawnNews reported.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, heard the hearing of a case against delimitation of constituencies and the decision of the Sindh High Court.
During the hearing, the ECP presented its stance in the court and said that it was not possible to hold elections in Sindh and Punjab on the proposed dates.
The commission recommended the Supreme Court to hold LG elections in Sindh and Punjab on Feb 23 and March 13, adding that three weeks’ time was required for printing of ballot papers.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) counsel Farogh Naseem told the court that the decision of SHC was valid and that the electoral process was not stopped.
He said that as per the decision of the Lahore High Court, delimitation of constituencies work was the responsibility of the ECP and added that the court should announce a quick decision instead of providing interim relief.
The apex court accepted the Sindh government's application against the SHC's verdict that declared as illegal the fresh delimitations before the upcoming LG polls in the province for hearing and sought details of the amendments made by the SHC.
It moreover adjourned the hearing of the case to Jan 27.
According to the earlier LG elections schedule, polling was scheduled to take place in Sindh and Punjab on Jan 18 and Jan 30, respectively.