QUETTA : The National Party has announced it will actively participate in the upcoming local government LG elections in Quetta while strongly criticizing what it calls the systematic weakening of local governance in Pakistan.
The decision was made during a significant party meeting of Tehsil PB 45.46, presided over by Provincial President Aslam Baloch and attended by senior leadership including Central Information Secretary Ali Ahmed Baloch and District President Haji Atta Muhammad Bangulzai.
In a strong critique of the current system, party leaders asserted that while democratic nations worldwide prioritize local government elections as the foundation for new political leadership, Pakistan has consistently treated them as secondary. “No government, whether central or provincial, has ever worked for an independent and strong local government,” speakers at the meeting stated.
They highlighted the paradoxical situation in 2022 when local elections were held in parts of Balochistan, but Quetta – the provincial capital – was denied this democratic right and placed under an administrative officer instead.
While welcoming the Balochistan High Court’s order to conduct elections in Quetta, the party expressed deep concern about the credibility of the electoral process. Leaders pointed to past controversies, including what they described as the “auction” of elections through Form 47, which has created widespread skepticism about the democratic process among the public.
Despite these concerns, the National Party committed to full participation in the Quetta local government elections, characterizing it as part of their “long peaceful political struggle” to strengthen democratic norms and encourage public faith in the electoral system. The party’s leadership emphasized their commitment to using the electoral platform to advocate for stronger local governance institutions in Balochistan.
On other hand accordance with the directives of the Balochistan High Court, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming local government elections in Quetta district.
The ECP has appealed to potential candidates, voters, and the general public to verify their vote registration details in the electoral rolls and ensure they are listed under the correct ward.
The commission further advised citizens to contact the District Election Commissioner’s office in Quetta for matters related to the registration, transfer, removal, or correction of their votes.
The ECP emphasized that once the electoral rolls are finalized, the schedule for the local government elections will be officially announced.
According to Section 39 of the Elections Act, 2017, no changes — including new registrations, transfers, or corrections — will be permitted in the voter lists after the issuance of the election program notification.
Therefore, citizens are urged to review and update their details in time to ensure their participation in the democratic process.
It is worth mentioning that the Balochistan High Court had rejected the petitions against the conduction on basis of census and delimitation a couple of days earlier.
BHC had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct the local government election immediately.
Local government elections in Balochistan hold significant importance as they empower communities at the grassroots level and strengthen democratic governance.
The province has faced repeated delays in holding these elections due to administrative challenges, boundary disputes, and legal hurdles.
The last major round of local body elections was conducted in phases, with several districts awaiting new representatives for years.
