On Monday, the Sindh High Court (SHC) reserved its decision on petitions challenging the continuous postponement of local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed the LG elections in Sindh and Hyderabad for the third time on October 18 at the provincial government’s request. The Sindh cabinet approved a proposal on November 11 to postpone the much-delayed local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad for the fourth time.
Concerned about the prolonged delay in local government elections, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petitioned the Supreme Court (SHC) for election orders.
A two-judge panel of the SHC presided over by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh heard the case. JI Karachi leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, MQM’s Waseem Akhtar and Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan, IG Sindh, provincial election commissioner, and Sindh chief secretary were present in the courtroom.
At the commencement of today’s hearing, the IG of Sindh delivered a report on the overall number of police personnel and their job locations. In addition, the court was informed that the Sindh Rangers have also submitted their report to the court.
The advocate general of Sindh advised the court that the police and rangers cannot ensure security if local body elections are held promptly. In response to questions, he asserted that the ECP, not the provincial administration, is responsible for organizing elections.
“The ground facts have been shared. The ECP should decide after examining all the parties and the actual situation. The ECP has the constitutional authority to decide on this matter,” he continued.
At this point, SHC CJ Shaikh asked the provincial election commissioner when the next election would be held.
The election commissioner of Sindh responded, “We are prepared to hold elections.”
The judge noted, “Hold elections in phases if simultaneous elections are impossible [in the megacities].” By disobeying Supreme Court directives, the Sindh High Court chief justice admonished the Sindh election commissioner for committing contempt.
The election commissioner informed the court that polls could be held in Karachi within the next fifteen days and requested security from the police and interior ministry to preserve calm during the voting process.
The Supreme Court reserved judgment after hearing arguments from all parties.
