KARACHI: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that Local Government elections would take place on January 15, 2023 in Karachi and Hyderabad.  Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja chairing five-member bench comprising Nisar Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (retd) Ikram Ullah Khan announced verdict that Commission reserved on November 15.

Commission directed relevant authorities including Sindh government, chief secretary and inspector-general of police to ensure local body polls are held on said date under Article 220 of Constitution and asked to ensure sufficient number of security personnel available for election duty at polling stations, offices of district returning officers, returning officers, polling staff and transportation of polling material from and to offices of ROs. In its verdict, commission wrote, “Further federal government through Secretary Ministry of Interior is directed to provide sufficient number of security personnel from other law enforcement agencies in accordance with security plan for conduct of Local Government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.

Elections were initially scheduled for July 24, delayed due to “bad weather and rains”. Then, polling was set to take place on August 28 and October 24, but Sindh government refused to provide security. Earlier Sindh High Court  directed ECP to announce new schedule for elections in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 23 2022

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