Punjab govt, ECP lock horns over Local Govt polls

Staff Reporter
LAHORE: The Government of Punjab and the Election Commission of Pakistan have locked horns over the issue of local government elections in the province as the provincial government insists on conducting the polls under new Local Government Act while the electoral body wants elections under the old act.
The Punjab government wants to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the local government polls but the election commission has rejected the provincial government’s demand. A deadlock has been created between the two over the issue.
On Tuesday, a three-member bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case regarding a delay in the LG polls. At the outset of the hearing, Punjab Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal told the bench that that Punjab Assembly has passed a bill to conduct the polls using EVMs and it will become law in the next 10 days.
Objecting to the Punjab government move, the CEC remarked that it was a provincial government’s stunt meant to drag feet on the already delayed LG polls.
The CEC urged the Punjab government to provide prerequisites for holding the polls. He also directed the chief secretary to submit a letter to the Supreme Court where a reference had already been sent to express concerns over delays in holding the LG elections in Punjab.