Islamabad:
The country’s survey supervision authority has postponed partial elections in nine different constituencies of the National Assembly and the Punjab assembly in view of floods. Most of these seats had fallen vacancies after the conviction by PTI legislators in cases of May 9 disturbances and their subsequent desatination.
According to an official notification issued on Thursday, the ECP postponed the partial elections in NA-66 Wazirabad, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-104 Faisalabad, Na-129 Lahore, NA-143 SAHIWAL, PP-73 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98 Faisalabad and PP-PP-203.
He said that the body of the surveys would announce new dates for the elections “once the situation improves.” The partial elections were previously scheduled for September 18 and October 5.
The statement said that an ECP meeting was held on Thursday to review a request from the provincial government and the officers who returned to the district to suspend the surveys. The surveys agency then accepted the request “in public interest.”
The ECP cited the widespread destruction of roads, bridges, rail lines, electrical posts and cell towers, as well as damage to government buildings and schools designated as voting stations and storage sites for electoral materials, such as reasons for postponement.
“The ongoing and relief operations in flood affected areas have extended civil administration and law enforcement agencies to its limits. Voting personnel, many of whom are government employees currently dedicated to help efforts, are not available to comply with electoral tasks,” he said.
According to the statement, several officials who returned to the district informed the commission about the lack of availability of designated voting personnel. They requested the appointment of new personnel from the neighboring districts.
However, the disaster scale has hindered the organization of elections as planned, he said.
He said that the Punjab government also formally requested the postponement, citing the “devastated flood situation” and the commitment of the civil administration in rescue and relief operations as the main reasons behind the application.
The ECP emphasized its constitutional obligation to hold elections in safe and fair conditions, noting that making elections in such interruptions “would deprive voters” and undermine the safety and integrity of the surveys.
“The decision to postpone the elections is of public interest,” said the ECP. “The surveys will resume once the situation stabilizes to ensure that the elections are held with optimal security and a total participation of voters.”
At least 46 people have died and more than 3.7 million affected as heavy monsoon rains and water releases from India worsen floods in Punjab. Almost 1.8 million people have been evacuated in recent weeks after the waters of floods submerged almost 3,900 villages.
