ISLAMABAD, June 15: The Election Commission of Pakistan would seek written declarations from the provinces to ensure law and order situation for holding local government elections in the country, Acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar said here on Wednesday. Justice Dogar expressed concern over the general law and order situation and said the provinces would have to make sure that there were no hurdles to hold free and fair local government polls.

At the same time, Mr Dogar brushed aside the possibility of holding local government elections in the federal capital as well as cantonment areas in different cities.

Complete schedule of the local government elections would be announced after budget sessions in both the National and provincial assemblies were over, he said.

According to the plan, voting in alternate districts would be held in two phases so that entire administrative machinery of one district could be deployed in the adjoining district to avoid disorder and confusion. To ensure smooth voting process, a comprehensive voter’s awareness programme would be launched shortly, he added.

The chief justices of the four high courts and tribunal to resolve election disputes would also be asked to send a detailed report about the resolution of the issues pertaining to 2002 elections or pendency in different tribunals, Justice Dogar said. A deadline would also be given to tribunals to decide election matters in a stipulated period, he added.