QUETTA: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday firmly rejected separate requests from the Balochistan chief minister and governor to postpone the upcoming local government elections in the province, ruling that the reasons cited were “not legally acceptable.”
In a decisive verdict, the commission affirmed that the polls would be held as scheduled on December 28, emphasizing that fulfilling this constitutional obligation was essential despite prevailing circumstances. The ECP highlighted that the delimitation process in Quetta had already been completed twice, all objections had been settled, and the Balochistan High Court had dismissed related petitions, clearing the path for the elections.
The commission underscored that the constitution does not permit the deferral of local government elections. It further referenced a Supreme Court ruling, stating that electoral matters fall squarely within the ECP’s constitutional domain, and any obstacles created by the provincial government would amount to a violation.
The unanimous decision, with one noted dissent, has been formally communicated to the provincial government, the governor, and all relevant institutions. However, ECP’s member from Balochistan, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, recorded a dissenting opinion. He argued that severe winter conditions lead to population migration and that the persistent law-and-order situation in the province warranted a reconsideration of the polling date.
The ruling sets the stage for the first phase of local government elections in Balochistan to proceed at the month’s end, rejecting the provincial administration’s concerns and asserting the commission’s constitutional authority to ensure the electoral timeline is upheld.
Meanwhile Senator Maulana Abdul Wasi, Ameer of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Balochistan, declared on Tuesday that his party is poised for a decisive victory in the upcoming local body elections, despite what he termed as the “unstinted use” of government machinery by rival political forces.
Addressing the media in Quetta, Wasi confidently predicted that JUI candidates would secure key positions, including those of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Town Chairman. He asserted that the party’s support on the ground remains solid and will overcome any administrative advantage wielded against them.
