The Sindh administration’s appeal to postpone the second round of local government elections was denied by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In a meeting held today in Islamabad to assess preparations for LG polls in Karachi and upcoming by-elections for National Assembly seats, the ECP rejected the plea.
The ECP stated that it is the responsibility of the provincial government and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order during elections, and it urged the Sindh government to guarantee the deployment of police officers during polls in Karachi.
The Sindh administration had sought the ECP to postpone the local body polls for three months a day earlier, claiming a lack of police officers to maintain law and order in the state.
The Sindh government emphasised in its letter to the ECP the paucity of force owing to rescue and relief efforts in the province’s flood-affected regions.
The Sindh government urged the ECP to consult with appropriate authorities after mentioning that the police had requested a three-month delay.
Sindh police sought an adjournment of the second phase of the Local Government (LG) polls throughout the province, including Karachi, on Monday, citing a lack of manpower.
The report said Karachi police currently have 23,000 policemen and for the peaceful conduct of LG elections in the second phase, there is a need of 39,000 cops.
