ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to summon the prime minister if local body elections are not held in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said on Monday.
Addressing a five-member bench hearing the case on the delay in Punjab’s local government elections, CEC Raja noted that except for Punjab, all provinces have conducted their local body polls.
He stressed the embarrassment it would cause Punjab if the ECP had to issue an order on the elections.
The commission is prepared to take necessary steps and will not remain passive, he added. CEC Raja emphasized that the ECP could summon the Punjab chief minister and, if needed, the prime minister to ensure elections take place.
ECP Secretary Umar Hameed informed the bench that both the Punjab government and the federal government in Islamabad have shown reluctance to conduct local body elections. Punjab’s local governments completed their term on December 31, 2021, but polls have been delayed for three years amid multiple amendments to local government laws.
The Punjab minister for Local Government told the commission that legislation for local elections is currently under review by a standing committee and efforts are ongoing to complete the process.
The local government bill has been pending in the assembly for over three months, longer than the usual two-month timeframe for approval.
CEC Raja recalled his personal appearance before the Supreme Court on the matter and condemned the ongoing delay in legislation and polls. The commission adjourned the hearing after the discussions.
