LG polls in Hyderabad, Karachi to be held on Jan 15 as planned ECP.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday rejected Sindh government's notification to postpone the second phase of LG polls in Sindh and ruled that the local bodies elections in Karachi and Hyderabad will be held as per schedule on January 15.

The Sindh government in late night Thursday move postponed the local government elections - scheduled for January 15 - in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Dadu just two days before the elections due to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's (MQM-P) reservations.

The decision to hold LG polls per schedule was taken in an important ECP meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja here.

Rejecting Sindh government notification and request, the ECP has directed Interior Ministry to ensure the deployment of Rangers and Army on highly sensitive polling stations in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Following the ECP decision, the Sindh government has summoned an urgent meeting of its legal team to mull over options regarding the ECP order. The government has summoned a report from chief secretary and secretary local body.

Sindh withdraws delimitation notification

In a late-night move on Thursday, the Sindh government withdrew the notification regarding the delimitations of the constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad and announced fresh delimitations by making amendments to Sindh Local Government Act (SLGA)

In light of the cabinet's decision, the provincial government wrote a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under clause 10 of the Sindh LG Act.

'All notifications related to the delimitations of the councils of Karachi Division and Hyderabad District issued under Sections 10(1) and 16 of...