ECP postpones by-elections

ECP postponed by election, Polling for by-elections to be held on September 11, September 25, and October 2 have been postponed.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday decided to postpone the by-election to be held in 13 constituencies of Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan, during a meeting held today, decided that polling for the by-elections to be held on September 11, September 25, and October 2 have been postponed due to the recent flash floods and devastations caused by it.

Polling in the following constituencies of Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been postponed

NA-157, Multan IV September 11, PP-139, Sheikhupra September 11, PP-241, Bahawalnagar September 11, NA-22, Mardan III September 25, NA-24, Charsadda II September 25, NA-31, Peshawar V September 25, NA-45, Kurram I September 25, NA 108, Faisalabad VIII September 25, NA-118, Nankana Sahib II September 2, NA-237, Malir II September 25, NA-239, Korangi I September 25, NA-246, Karachi I September 25, PP-209, Khanewal VII October 2.

The ECP said only the polling dates in the above-mentioned constituencies have been postponed, while all the other procedures and steps will be completed as per schedule.

The commission said the decision to postpone the by-elections has been taken after getting proper feedback from the Ministry of Interior according to which Pakistan Army, rangers, and the Frontier Corps are busy in relief work for the flood-affected people, maintaining the internal security, and thwarting out terrorist activities in the country.

The ECP will announce new dates for the polling as soon as it finds the availability of the law enforcement agencies personnel.

While briefing the participants, the Secretary Election Commission said that in some constituencies of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Election Commission had scheduled by-elections for September 11, 25, and October 2, 2022.

The Secretary Election Commission said that the recent disasters and floods in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and South Punjab had disrupted the means of transportation.

ECP confirmed that a new date of the polling in the 13 national and provincial assembly seats will be announced upon the improvement of conditions.

It said the decision to postpone the by-elections has been taken after getting proper feedback from the Interior Ministry according to which Pakistan Army, Rangers, and the Frontier Corps are busy in relief work for the flood-affected people, maintaining the internal security, and thwarting terrorist activities in the country. It further said ensuring peaceful elections is the prime responsibility and priority of the Election Commission for which services of the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and other security agencies were not available at the moment. Hence, decision to postpone the by-election was taken in the best interest of the public so that a peaceful polling process can be ensured.

The Commission will announce new dates for the polling as soon as it finds the availability of the law enforcement agency’s personnel.