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KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday rejected MQM’s petition and declared that local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad will take place on January 15 on old voters’ list. The ECP also rejected Sindh government’s stance about delay in LG polls, and allowed Jamat-e-Islami’s petition against the postponement.
Also read: Sindh High Court orders to hold local government polls
Last week, a three-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, had reserved the verdict after hearing arguments of the MQM-P and other parties.
During the hearing last week, the Sindh government sought a week to submit arguments in the case as Additional Advocate General Fauzia Zafar appeared before the ECP unprepared.
Also read: Sindh cabinet okays postponing LG polls in Karachi by 90 days
The CEC abolished the defence right of the provincial government after its lawyer showed up in the case without preparation.
In it’s petition, the Jamaat-e-Islami called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan to fulfil its constitutional responsibility by holding local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad on time.
Also read: IG Sindh gives green signal for holding LG polls in Karachi next month
It is pertinent to mention here that the JI had staged sit-in before CM House to press for it’s demand for LG elections. However, it concluded its sit-in in after getting assurance from the Sindh government regarding the timely organisation of local government (LG) polls as per schedule.
PPP-led Sindh government and MQM-Pakistan had moved ECP over delay in LG polls due to delimitations issue.
