ISLAMABAD : The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has turned down a request by the Balochistan government to postpone the by-election for National Assembly constituency NA-256, deciding instead to hold the poll on its scheduled date of April 5.
Officials of the ECP confirmed that the request was initiated through a letter sent by the Commissioner of Kalat Division to the Balochistan government and the Provincial Election Commission. The letter cited the prevailing law and order situation in the region as grounds for seeking a delay in the by-election.
The matter was subsequently forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan for consideration. However, after reviewing the request, the ECP rejected the plea and directed that the election proceed as per the original timetable.
The NA-256 seat, located in Khuzdar, fell vacant following the resignation of Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal.
