Strengthen Local Govt democracy
PRIME Minister Imran Khan has directed the Punjab Government to hold Local Government election in the Province in March next year. As per legally, the five-year term of the Local Governments in Punjab is expiring on 31 December.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has reportedly already directed the Punjab Government to ensure compliance with its directions on holding of Local Government election in the Province within 120 days after 31 December, failing which it may exercise the option of passing order as it did in case of KP and Islamabad Capital Territory.
On the expiry of the term of Local Government institutions on the 31 December 2021, the Election Commission is determined to conduct next Local Government election in the Punjab Province, in any way, within 120 days as required under Sub-Section-4 of the Section-219 of the Elections Act 2017.
In case of lacklustre response or non compliance of the directives, the ECP may exercise the option of passing order as it did in case of KP and ICT, the ECP warned in a letter to the Punjab Local Government and community development department.
On 14 October, the ECP had rejected the KP government plan to hold Local Government election in the province in three phases, ordering it to complete the electoral process for the lowest tier of government by March 2022.
The official of the Provincial Election Commission of Pakistan had held numerous meetings with the Provincial Government representatives on the conduct of Local Government elections in the province, and in these meetings, the ECP had categorically stated that the ECP was fully conscious of its Constitutional obligations for holding elections in the province as required under Article 2019 of the Constitution, but no result-oriented progress has been made by the government.
The ECP, keeping in view the situation, wants the Local Government department to convey to the Punjab Government that necessary lawa rules governing the conduct of Local Government elections in Punjab are required to be updated, if required.
The updated Local Government Act 2019 and PLG election rules 2021 may be provided to the ECP by 30 November 2021 the ECP had directed.
The ECP has also asked the government to provide it pre requisites for delimitation of constituencies, such as notification regarding the number of villages and neighbourhoods, an updated notification of all local areas showing notified population along with the documents relating to demarcation of local areas, copies of authenticated maps of Local Government showing the clear boundaries by 30 November 2021. Positively to start the process well in time.
The Punjab government initially delayed implementation of the Supreme Court order on the pretext that it was waiting for the detailed judgment and latter it filed a review petition after the detailed verdict was issued in July 2021.
It swiftly restored the Local Bodies on after the Apex Court expressed dismay over non compliance with its 25 March order and summoned both the incumbent as well as the former Chief Secretaries of Punjab.
On 19 November, the ECP had notified the schedule for delimitation of constituencies for the Local Government election in Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad.
The Local Government election in Islamabad would be held after delimitation .The Election Commission of Pakistan issued schedule for delimitation of constituencies and wards and the final list of constituencies will be published on 03 Feb.
Under the new act, the federal institutions like education health and other social services departments will be under Mayor and new set up would be highly effective and powerful.
The Local Government Act has been approved by the cabinet is a comprehensive documents which covered all issues including power, funds and jurisdiction of The Local Government as per Article 140-A.
Under the Act, the mayor would be directly elected and there would be around 100 neighbourhood Councils, each compromising 20000 people.
Presidential Ordinance has been issued and as per Ordinance the Local Government election in Islamabad would be held through Electronic Voting Machines in the light of this the Election Commission of Pakistan will decide as per Article-222, 2018 and 226 and covering all pros and cons.
—The writer is former Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan and currently Chairman National Democratic Foundation.
