BHC dismisses plea for delay in Balochistan LG elections

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Balochistan High Court (BHC) Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Rozi Khan Barech dismissed the constitutional petitions filed for delay in the local body elections in Balochistan province.

The court in its judgment said that the Election Commission of Pakistan which is ready to hold local government elections as per the announced schedule.

At present, there is no impediment in holding these elections as per the schedule announced on March 23, 2022, therefore the constitutional petitions filed for delay in the local body elections are excluded.

Earlier, Despite the Balochistan government’s request to postpone local government (LG) elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started preparations for holding polls in the province.

LG secretary Imran Gichki has written a letter to the ECP asking it to conduct LG elections after July 15, but the provincial election commission has directed district authorities to start receiving nomination papers from April 15 to 18.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has met Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in Islamabad and shared with him his government’s point of view on holding LG elections in the province.