THE local government system serves as the nursery of democracy and is considered the basic form and breeding ground of democracy. It is the tool that helps resolve basic problems pertaining to health, education, and infrastructure development.

In the light of the above, I find it unfortunate that the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly has even less powers than those exercised by the municipal council of a major city in the country. The local government system in Gilgit-Baltistan has been dysfunctional since 2007. Owing to this the basic problems faced by residents of far flung villages do not come to the knowledge of the authorities.

The primary reason for this is the lack of representation of every village at the district level.

In the past local government elections traditionally used to be held on the very next day of the election day of the GB Council, owing to which the turnout of the voters would be maintained and the election process was more vibrant and interesting.

This is a request to the federal and provincial governments and the election commission to conduct the local government elections at the same time as the elections to Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.

Gulzar Hussain
Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2020