ISLAMABAD: The inspectors general (IGs) of Punjab and Sindh told the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday that they feared that the local bodies elections — currently scheduled to be held during the month of Muharram — may be targeted by terrorists.

The fears were expressed during an ECP meeting held to review arrangements for the polls in Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad Capital Territory.

Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, the meeting was also informed that thousands of leaders and activists from banned outfits would be contesting the polls with different organisational affiliations. The CEC, however, was quoted as telling the IGP, “It is your duty to trace such people out and report them to the ECP”.

The IGs’ apprehensions appeared to be an attempt to seek further postponement of the first phase of local government elections.

The IG Punjab also raised the issue of increased threat levels during the month of Muharram, but said that a polling station-wise security plan was already in place and the Quick Response Force (QRF) was ready to meet any challenge. He also said that strict security measures would be taken at polling stations with a history of electoral tensions.

The two IGPs said the provinces would requisition the army and Rangers for reinforcements, if need be.

At one stage, the CEC observed that the local government law and rules and delimitation were prerequisites for the announcement of the election schedule. “The announcement of the schedule means we call upon the electorates of a constituency to come and elect their representatives,” but regretted that Islamabad had no constituencies as the exercise for the federal capital was yet to be completed. He ordered that the delimitation exercise be completed in Islamabad and also directed governments of Punjab and Sindh to immediately notify the updated local government rules they kept insisting were ready.

The chief secretaries of Punjab and Sindh also objected to the blanket ban the ECP had placed on transfers and postings, saying that many of the cases had nothing to do with the electoral process at all. They said the blanket ban brings some of government operations to a standstill and were of the view that it was not possible to seek permission on a case-to-case basis from the ECP.

The two senior bureaucrats said that while there should be ban on bulk transfers, but posts that required immediate filling should be exempted from this bar. Relenting to their request, the ECP promised to revisit the protocol.

The two chief secretaries also pointed out that the polls were taking place over three phases and a perpetual ban on postings and transfers for months would be problematic.

Later ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad told reporters that the ban on appointments and transfers of government officers in Punjab and Sindh had been placed to ensure transparency in the electoral process.

He also said that the commission had not yet received any written request for the deployment of Rangers personnel during the elections, adding that the paramilitary force could be called in, if the need arose.

Yaqoob said that the participants of the meeting had discussed issues related to security and the CEC had directed the IGs of Punjab and Sindh to ensure the security of returning officers and other electoral staff.

Third phase Meanwhile, the ECP announced the schedule for the third phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh. Under the schedule, returning officers will issue notices inviting nominations on Sept 28 and receive nomination papers from Oct 3 to Oct 7.

The nomination papers will be scrutinised from Oct 8 to Oct 13 while Oct 30 has been set as the last date for filing appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers by the returning officers. The tribunals will decide the appeals by Nov 5.

Nov 6 will be the last date for withdrawal of candidature while final list of the candidates will be published the following day.

Polling for the third phase of LG polls in Punjab and Sindh will take place on Dec 3.

Polling for the first and second phase of LG polls will be held on Oct 31 and Nov 19, respectively.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2015

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