ECP to hold LB polls in Punjab, KP, Cantt Boards in phases

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday unveiled the dates of holding local bodies’ (LB) elections in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Cantonment Boards, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In its reply submitted to the Supreme Court (SC), the ECP informed that LB elections both in Punjab and KP will be held in phases. “In KP, the elections in the first phase would be held on April 8, followed by elections in the second phase on May 29,” it said, and added that the announcement for the first phase would be made on February 12 while for the second phase on March 25.

With respect to Punjab, the ECP told the SC that LB elections in the province would be held in three phases. “Elections in the first phase would be held on June 20 followed by the second one on July 16 and the third phase on August 8,” the commission said, and added announcements for elections in the province would also be made in phases.

The announcement for the first phase would be made on April 12, for the second phase on May 18 and for the third phase on June 2.

The ECP further said in its reply that LB elections in Cantonment Boards would be held on April 8 and May 29. “The announcement for the first phase would be made on February 12 while for the second phase on March 25,” it added.

The commission’s reply further reads that ECP’s senior officials met twice in the light of Supreme Court’s directives, and discussed local bodies’ elections in all four provinces, Islamabad and Cantonment Boards. And minutes of these two meetings have been submitted to the apex court.

Regarding LB elections in Sindh and Balochistan, the ECP informed the court that it would take up the matter for discussion at its meeting on February 11.