The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday announced its verdict in the Sindh local body elections case announcing that polls will take place in constituencies of Karachi and Hyderabad in January.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's (MQM-P) petition was rejected, as the ECP accepted the Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) request to hold elections as per schedule on January 15.
According to the electoral watchdog's judgment, the election will be held according to existing voter lists.
The ECP has also directed the Sindh government to ensure all preparations for the elections.
Previously it was expected that the local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions would be postponed yet again after the PPP-led Sindh government had penned a letter to the ECP citing the MQM-P’s stance seeking correction and changes in the fresh delimitation of LG constituencies in both divisions.
The letter had also mentioned that the MQM-P had moved the Supreme Court for the purpose.
It may be recalled that Karachi and Hyderabad were supposed to hold the second round of LG elections 16 districts on July 24 last year.
However, the Sindh administration had excused itself from holding the polls over the lack of security and police presence because of the floods.
Later, the local body elections were rescheduled for August 28.
Moreover, as the elections did not take place on that day, the date was again set as October 23.
However, the polls were postponed on that date too.
The MQM-P has taken a stand that elections should not be held until the necessary legislation, constituencies, and voters’ lists were corrected.
The party has also said that the elections should not be held unless local governments and constituencies were given their due authority.
