ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) modified on Saturday the schedule for local government elections in Sindh and Punjab.

The revision appears to be minor, but it makes it clear that holding of elections on Jan 18 in Sindh and Jan 30 in Punjab — as per the previously announced schedule — would not be possible.

Under the revised schedule, the date for withdrawal of candidature which was otherwise expiring on Sunday (Jan 12) has been extended to Jan 15 while the final list of candidates that was to be published on Jan 13 would now be published on Jan 16, subject to an order to be announced by the Supreme Court.

According to two notifications issued by the ECP, the decision was taken in exercise of powers conferred upon the commission under Sections 11A and 104 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1976, and relevant sections of the local government laws.

The decision has, however, been taken to get some more time as the ECP awaits a final word on the fate of LG polls from the Supreme Court.

ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmad Khan has already proposed Feb 23 for local government polls in Sindh and March 13 in Punjab.

The case is fixed for hearing before the apex court on Monday (Jan 13) — the date on which the final lists of candidates were to be published under the schedule prior to the modification.

Talking to Dawn, an ECP official conceded that the Printing Corporation of Pakistan had no capacity to print 30 million ballot papers for Sindh in such a short time.

He said even if the Supreme Court sets aside the judgments of the Sindh and Lahore high courts, holding of polls on the dates prescribed in the present schedule would not be possible.