Delimitation in Punjab: ECP revises date for publication of preliminary lists

ISLAMABAD: Once again, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday revised the date for publication of preliminary list of delimited constituencies in Punjab, which was to be done on September 18, and extended this date for "another 15 days," but did not fix a specific date for this purpose. The decision, the ECP said was taken on the request of the Punjab government, in a top-level meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and attended by senior officials of ECP Punjab's Local Government Department.

Secretary ECP, Dr Akhtar Nazir, briefed the meeting that the ECP has made all the arrangements to name the village, punchayat and neighbourhood councils in Punjab in consultation with the relevant focal persons/ deputy commissioners, ECP said in a statement.

In addition, the secretary ECP briefed the meeting that ECP is ready for the publication of preliminary list of delimitated constituencies in Punjab. However, Punjab's local government officials requested the ECP to extend the date for the publication of preliminary list of delimited constituencies on the grounds that provincial cabinet needs to accord approval for naming the village, punchayat and neighbourhood councils, the ECP statement said adding that the Commission extended the said date from September 18 for another 15 days.

On August 18, 2020, the ECP revised the date for publication of preliminary list of delimited constituencies, for inviting representations and objections, from August 21 to September 18, 2020. The decision, the ECP said then, was taken in the backdrop of inclusion of certain rural areas into urban areas by the Punjab government.

On August 5, 2020, the ECP said it asked the Punjab government, in the light of Section 27 of Punjab Village, Punchayat and Neighbourhood Councils Act 2019, to suggest a date for holding the LG elections and whether the provincial government wanted the elections in one-day or in a phase-wise manner. The provincial government had sought time and informed the Commission that it would share with ECP a "comprehensive set of recommendations" on LG elections in Punjab in the next few days.

However, till date, neither the ECP nor Punjab government has come up with any date for holding the LG polls in Pakistan's largest province. On June 25, 2020, the ECP issued schedule for delimitation of constituencies in the village and neighbourhood councils of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and establishment of district committees for this purpose. The ECP issued this schedule in exercise of powers laid down in Punjab Village, Punchayat and Neighbourhood Councils Act 2019 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act 2013, the electoral body said in a statement.

According to the schedule, completion of all the administrative arrangements including procurement of maps and relevant data was to be be done from July 6 - 25, 2020. Preparation of preliminary list of constituencies by the delimitation committees from July 27 to August 20. Publication of preliminary list of constituencies for inviting representations and objections: August 21. Filing of representations and objections before the delimitation authorities by the voters concerned: August 22 to September 6. Disposal of representation and objections by the delimitation authorities: till October 5.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020