KARACHI, Oct 11: Governor Mohammedmian Soomro on Thursday promulgated the Sindh local government elections (fourth amendment) ordinance 2001, substituting a section of the previous ordinance providing for election of a member on an unfilled seat.

The new ordinance, which amends the Sindh Local Government Elections Ordinance 2000, shall be deemed to have come into force from September 20, 2001.

Substituting section 18-A, the ordinance says, If a seat of a member remains unfilled or become vacant during the term of office of a council, a new member shall be elected through by-election and the member so elected shall hold the office for the remaining portion of the term of the council.

If any seat reserved for women remains vacant, the same shall be filled through by-election and elected women member shall hold the office for the remaining portion of the term of the council.

All by-elections shall be held once a year on a date or dates fixed by the Chief Election Commissioner.

A vacancy of Union Nazim or Naib Union Nazim shall be filled through by-election within sixty days of the occurrence of vacancy.

A vacancy of Zila Nazim, Naib Zila Nazim, Taluka Nazim or Town Nazim, Taluka Naib Nazim or Town Naib Nazim shall be filled through by-election within thirty days of the occurrence of the vacancy.

When Nazim, Naib Taluka Nazim or Naib Town Nazim, Union Nazim or Naib Union, Nazim remains unfilled or falls vacant, the members of the concerned council shall by a majority vote elect an officiating Nazim or Naib Nazim as the case may be from amongst its members and the person so elected shall continue to retain his office as a member also.

Provided that the officiating Nazim or Naib Nazim shall not be a candidate in the by-election held for election of the Nazim or Naib Nazim respectively. —PPI