ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Wednesday that all schedules for Sindh and Punjab local bodies elections, and nomination papers stand cancelled.
Talking to media representatives in Islamabad, the Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan said that Sindh and Punjab government were not prepared to hold local government elections but Balochistan had already completed all the steps.
The Secretary ECP said the electoral process is proceeding ahead smoothly in Balochistan and elections would be held on December 7.
Ishtiaq Ahmad said local bodies elections in Sindh would be held on January 18 and in Punjab on January 30 next year. He said a new schedule would be issued by the ECP.
The Secretary ECP said that local bodies elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cantt areas would be held in February next year.
Meanwhile, he clarified that all candidates will have to re-submit their nomination papers for the local bodies elections under the new schedule to be issued by the Commission. However, he said, those who have deposited fee will not be required to pay the fee again.
The Secretary said new nomination forms will replace the old ones.
Ishtiaq Ahmad the ECP has convened a meeting on November 19 to prepare the next plan of action following postponement of polls in Punjab and Sindh to new dates. It will be attended by representatives of the provincial governments‚ Ministries of Interior‚ Defence and Law; Printing Corporation of Pakistan and NADRA.