ISLAMABAD: The third phase of local government elections in Balochistan commences on Friday with returning officers inviting nomination papers to fill seats reserved for peasants and workers in local councils of all districts of the province.
The last day of the year has been fixed as polling day by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the schedule it announced on Thursday. The returning officers will declare the results on Jan 2.
In the first phase of the process, elections for ‘direct’ seats in the local councils were held.
In the second phase, elections were held for seats reserved for women and non-Muslims. In the last phase, heads and deputy heads of local governments will be elected.
According to the schedule, nomination papers will be received on Dec 8 and 9. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on Dec 12 and 13 while appeals against acceptance and rejection of nomination papers will be received on Dec 15 and decided on Dec 16 and 17.
The schedule for the third phase was announced earlier as well, but the elections could not take place.
The ECP has clarified that candidates who had submitted candidature fees earlier would only have to present their receipts with fresh nomination papers.
With a view to ensuring holding of free and fair polls, the ECP has also issued a code of conduct, directing all executive authorities in the federation and provinces not to use state resources in local government elections calculated to influence elections in favour of a particular candidate or a political party.
The code of conduct says that if anyone in the government service misuses his official position in any manner to influence election results he shall be liable to be proceeded against under Section 80 of the Balochistan Local Government Act 2010.
All holders of public offices including the prime minister, governor and chief minister have been barred from visiting any area of any local council to announce any development scheme or canvas or campaign for any candidate or political party.
Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014
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