ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has agreed to change the polling date for the third and last phase of upcoming local government elections in Punjab and Sindh scheduled for Dec 3.

A four-member delegation of Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jafaria (TNFJ) led by its secretary general Sakhawat Hussain Kazmi held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan and other members of the commission here on Monday and asked for a change in the polling date, pointing out that the Chehlum of Imam Husain would be observed on the same date.

The ECP officials were informed that thousands of voters would be deprived of their right to franchise if the date was not changed. The TNFJ also said security problems could arise if the date remained the same.

Also read: Sindh urges ECP to delay LG polls by a week

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Kazmi said that the ECP had accepted the TNFJ’s demand. He said an assurance had been held out that the date would be changed and a notification to this effect would be issued soon.

He said the TNFJ had asked the ECP to prevent banned organisations from taking part in elections and suggested that the list of such outfits should be made available to returning officers for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2015

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