The holding of Cantonment Boards local bodies elections on time throughout the country has been thrown into doubt after the federal finance ministry declined to issue funds for the purpose, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Sources told 24News TV channel on Thursday that the finance ministry has rejected a request from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the release of funds.
After the rejection of its request, the ECP has summoned an emergency meeting today regarding the holding of the Cantonment Boards elections, the sources added.
The ECP is expected to decide whether to delay the elections, scheduled for September 9.
The other day the ECP penned a letter to the Federal Ministry of Finance stating that there is a need for Rs215 million funds for conducting the elections. “If the money is not provided immediately, there will be no option but to postpone the elections,” it added.
In reply, the Finance Ministry asked the ECP to use already available funds.
Local government elections 2021 will be held in Attock, Bahawalpur, Bannu, Chaklala, Cherat, Clifton, Dera Ismail Khan, Faisal, Gujranwala, Havelian, Hyderabad, Jhelum, Kamra, Karachi, Kharian, Kohat, Korangi, Lahore, Loralai, Mangla, Mardan, Multan, Murree, Malir, Manora, Nowshera, Okara, Pano Aqil, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Risalpur, Sanjwal, Sargodha, Shorkot, Sialkot, Taxila, Wah, Walton and Zhob cantonment of Pakistan on 09-09-2021.