ISLAMABAD: Office-bearers of the ruling PTI in Lower and Upper Chitral districts on Saturday approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking postponement of the local body elections scheduled to be held on March 27 till May-June due to the harsh weather conditions.

In a petition filed with the ECP, they said Chitral normally witnesses extremely cold weather along with heavy snowfall and avalanches in February and March during which most of the villages remain cut-off from each other restricting mobility.

The PTI office-bearers also said a majority of the people of Chitral migrated to urban areas in the winter season and return after mid-April.

They said there were areas in Broghil and Torkhow valleys of Upper Chitral, which remain completely cut off from other parts f the country for most of the winter months.

The petitioners said in such a situation, it would not be possible for the residents to step out to participate in elections.

They requested the ECP to postpone elections in the region until May and June.

The first phase of the LG elections was held in 17 districts on Dec 19.

On Jan 20, the ECP issued the schedule for the second phase of elections in the 18 remaining districts, including Lower and Upper Chitral, saying polling will be held on March 27.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2022