Summary The ECP has issued scheduled for local government polls in Punjab on January 30.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that local government (LG) polls in Punjab will be held on the scheduled date.
According to the schedule issued by ECP on Monday, LG elections in Punjab will be held on January 30.
The nomination papers will be accepted from 22-27th of December while the scrutiny of papers will be done from 30th December till 4th January 2014.
Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers would be filed on 6th and 7th of next month and these will be disposed of from 8th to 11th of next month.
Nomination papers can be withdrawn by 12th and the list of contesting candidates with symbols would be published on the 13th of next month.
The Election Commission has also issued directions to ensure holding of elections fairly and to guard against corrupt practices.
All Executive authorities in the federation and provinces shall not use state resources in local government elections calculated to influence them in favour of a particular candidate.
Any official misusing his position would be proceeded against under the law. No postings and transfers of civil servants wold be made after issuance of election schedule and the Prime Minister‚ Governor‚ Chief Minister‚ Speaker‚ Deputy Speaker‚ Members of Federal and Provincial Cabinets or any holder of public office will not visit the area of any local government to announce any development scheme or campaign for any candidate or any poltical party.
During this period no Deputy Commissioner or DCO would perform protocol duty with any VIP.
The Commission has clarified that while filing nomination papers afresh‚ there will be no need to deposit nomination fee for those candidates who have already deposited it.
The Election Commission said the schedule for local bodies (LB) elections in Sindh will be issued on December 13, adding that the Sindh government should contact Supreme Court if they want to hold LG elections in March.
Earlier, the Sindh cabinet approved to hold local government (LG) polls in March. On the contrary, the Supreme Court (SC) had ordered to hold LG polls on January 18.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said the government will write a formal letter to Election Commission tomorrow (Tuesday) for holding of LG polls in March.
