Manan Mandokhail :
As per schedule, local bodies’ elections would be held on May 29th across Balochistan. The Balochistan High Court (BHC) dismissed a petition seeking a delay in holding the LBs elections in Balochistan.
A division bench of the BHC comprising Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Baloch dismissed the petition about the delay and directed the government to hold elections as per the schedule.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had given May 29th as the date for holding elections across Balochistan except for the Quetta and Lasbella districts because of some delimitations issues.
“There is no reason to postpone and delay the local bodies elections”, Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan said. He said local bodies’ elections were imperative for the development and prosperity of the country and nation.
The petitioner had pleaded that Balochistan was facing financial and administrative issues, therefore, the elections should be delayed. Especially, the budget was cited as one of the reasons behind delaying the elections.
The bench ordered the ECP and government of Balochistan to make sure fair and transparent elections in Balochistan.
