ECP sets Dec 19 Jan 16 for LG polls in KP

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: The Political Election Payment of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday put its foot down, establishing Dec 19 as well as Jan 16 as the dates for the very first as well as second stage of city government political elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a comprehensive order provided by a three-member bench headed by Chief Political election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP guided the provincial federal government, principal secretary and local government secretary to make all needed plans and also take requisite steps totally free, fair and also smooth conduct of political elections in the district in aid and aid of the Commission Office to take all needed action in this regard, accordingly.

It is for the first time in the nation’s background that the ECP has asserted itself to meet a constitutional commitment, rejecting propositions by the agents of the KP federal government.

Under the most up to date proposal, the KP federal government wanted political elections for town and area councils in 2 phases– initially in December this year as well as second in March next year– as well as to take decision on polls for tehsil councils later on.

An official stated that under the order, the LG surveys for town councils, area councils as well as tehsil councils in 17 districts would certainly be kept in the first phase et cetera of 18 districts in the 2nd stage.

The order, a copy of which is available with Dawn, stresses that the CEC as well as the ECP are definitely independent with special territory while performing responsibilities within the terms of Part-Vill of the Constitution in which no interference is allowable by any one of the events.

” All the quarters concerned, particularly federal as well as rural governments, law implementing agencies are under a responsibility to guarantee that the Principal Election Commissioner/Election Payment works individually as well as to see that they are appropriately reinforced allowing them to release their constitutional commitments rather, freely as well as without any obstacle and stress of whatsoever nature,” the order stated.

It pointed out that the regard to city governments in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expired on August 28, 2019 and the Election Payment in regards to Area 219( 4) of the Elections Act, 2017 was under lawful responsibility to perform such city government elections within a period of 120 days of the expiry of the term. It said the rural government was informed well within time by the compensation for examination on conduct of LG elections in terms of Section 219( 3) of the Elections Act, 2017.

Referring to the rural government’s plea that Section 79 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013 has actually been modified, empowering the provincial government to hold the LG elections individually for the village/neighbourhood councils and also tehsil councils which the ECP was bound to conduct political elections based on the change and also relevant city government regulations, the order said the position was based upon a misreading of Short article 140-A (1) worrying the powers of the rural federal governments.

It claimed that under the post, every district by legislation was to establish the LG system and also devolve political, administrative as well as economic powers to the elected agents, while the Election Commission was empowered to conduct the LG polls.

Show-cause notification
The ECP on Thursday provided a show-cause notice to government Minister for Railways and PTI leader Azam Swati, needing him to show up face to face before it on October 26 to describe his tirade versus the payment and also CEC.

A two-member bench consisting of ECP participants Nisar Ahmed Durrani and also Shah Mohammad Jatoi heard the case.

Mr Swati’s legal representative Faisal Chaudhry did not show up and also younger guidance notified the bench that Faisal Chaudhry was active in the High court.

Educated sources told Dawn that Info Minister Fawad Chaudhry submitted a fresh application seeking 3 even more weeks to send his reply. An official informed Dawn that the compensation chose in concept to decline the plea and also provide a notice to Fawad Chaudhry, requiring him to show up prior to it on October 27.

The notices had been released to both the government priests on September 16 for their assault on the ECP as well as CEC. Fawad Chaudhry had actually sought six weeks to submit a reply but was offered three weeks, which ended on October 19.

Mr Swati selected not to react at all and also has actually currently been mobilized to appear before the ECP personally to clarify his position.

This was not the first time when the ECP encountered strong criticism as well as serious allegations from the judgment PTI as the compensation after the March Us senate surveys, also, had recommended the event to stop mudslinging and also develop proof if it had any kind of arguments to the constitutional demands, declaring that the organization would not succumb to any kind of pressure.

In a restored onslaught on the ECP, Azam Swati carried September 10 stated such organizations need to be lit after accusing the payment of taking “kickbacks as well as always rigging” surveys. He additionally declared that the ECP was “poking fun at the federal government” and “attempting to wreck the freedom”.

The allegations were made only days after the ECP had challenged the government’s unilateral choice to present digital voting machines in the following general elections.

A fresh blistering strike on the ECP was introduced the very same night when Fawad Chaudhry, accompanied by Mr Swati and Adviser to the Head Of State on Parliamentary Matters Dr Babar Awan, charged the ECP of becoming the opposition’s head office and also stated the CEC was acting as a “mouth piece of the opposition”.

Mr Chaudhry declared that the CEC had actually played politics of ‘foolish’ arguments to electing machines. “If they want to do politics, then response will come,” he claimed.