ECP warns against delaying tactics in holding Islamabad LB polls

The Chief of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP Wednesday said that he would not tolerate any delay in local body elections and initiate contempt of court proceedings against Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Home Secretary.

According to the 24News HD TV channel, a three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja held a hearing on local body elections in Islamabad.

During the hearing, the ECP officials told the bench that the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance will expire in March. While the Interior Ministry officials said the rules for local elections have been prepared and submitted to the federal cabinet on January 31.

Home Ministry officials told the bench that it may take up to a month for approval of the rules, on which the commissioner clarified that we are giving you 15 days to complete the rules.

And, if rules are not provided then contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Home Secretary, the commissioner added.

The commissioner remarked that any deliberate or unintentional delay in the local body elections would not be tolerated the elections will be held on time.

Later, the Election Commission has adjourned the hearing of the Islamabad local body election case till February 24.