The federal government and the Election Commission have filed an intra-court appeal against the order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to hold local government (LG) elections in the federal capital today (December 31). Additional Attorney General said Article 4 provides full protection, adding that how can the authorities perform a task that cannot be done.
Yesterday, The federal government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to file an intra-court appeal against the order of the Islamabad High Court to hold local body elections in Islamabad (today).
Analysts said the election commission may ask for 10 to 15 days to complete the preparations for the local body elections through an intra-court appeal as at least that much time is required for the administration of the elections.
After the decision of the IHC yesterday, the meeting of the ECP was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja in which a detailed discussion was held on the measures and arrangements regarding holding the LG polls on Saturday.
In the emergency meeting of the Election Commission, it was decided that elections cannot be held in such a short time.
The ECP said that more than 14,000 staff, school teachers and other employees are on winter vacation, recalling them at short notice is not possible. It is also not possible to deliver election materials to the polling stations late at night.
In the meeting presided over by the CEC, an intra-court appeal was prepared, but due to the closing of the IHC office late at night, the intra-court appeal could not be submitted.
Sources said that the commission has not received any instructions regarding the local elections. He further said that neither logistical support nor staff is available to conduct the elections.
ECP said that the local elections in the federal capital will not be held tomorrow and the commission will request the court to give at least 10 to 15 days for election materials, transport and security arrangements.
The commission will present its position in the Islamabad High Court today.