Polling will be held in 17 districts in first phase
ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday declared December 19, as the final date for Local Government (LG) elections in 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
As per the recent statement of ECP, the LG elections in first phase will be held in 17 districts of KP including Malakand, Bajaur, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, DI-Khan, Bannu, Tank, Haripur, Khyber, Muhmand, Charsadda, Hangu and Lakki Marwat. Meanwhile, ECP has also banned transfers and postings of government officials and officers in all districts where ECP has announced schedule for the LG elections in the first phase.
In order to ensure transparency in elections, ECP has also barred all executive authorities in the federation and provinces from announcing any developmental project in the districts where the elections are scheduled to be held.
The Commission has also warned all the government office-holders of legal action if any of the concerned authorities during the election found misusing the power.
Furthermore, ECP has banned entry of the President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, advisors to the PM or CM, provincial and federal ministers and any other government official in the area of any local council.
It must be noted that ECP under the Article 140(A) 2 and 219(d) of the Constitution of Pakistan read with Section 219 of Election Act, 2017, sub-section (1) of section 75 and section 86, of the KP Local Government Act, 2013, sub rule (1) of Rule-15 of the Rule of KP Local Council has announced to hold the LG elections in 17 districts of KP.
The LG elections in the rest of 18 districts of KP in the second phase will be held on January 16, this year.