ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Army on Tuesday reached a consensus on holding the local body elections in cantonment boards on November 3.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the ECP and Pakistan Army officials, chaired by acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jilani.

Addressing the meeting, the CEC said that failure of the election commission and ministry of defence to conduct local government elections before the Sept 15 deadline, set by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, was regrettable and inquired about the reasons behind the delay.

Justice Jilani instructed the election commission to write a request to the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking an extension of the Sept 15 deadline to conduct local govenment elections in cantonment areas of the country.

The CEC added that he was sure that the apex court would grant the said extension. The meeting also reviewed the arrangement for the polls.

The meeting was attended by Defence Secretary Yasin Malik, Provincial Election Commissioners, and officials of NADRA and the Pakistan Army, along with others.