MQM plea rejected, LG polls in Sindh on 15th.

ISLAMABAD -- The ElecAtion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refused to delay further the local bodies elections in three divisions of Sindh - Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta - and ruled that the second phase of local government polls will be held as per schedule on Jan 15.

The commission rejected the petition of the MuttAahAida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) wherein the party had urged the election watchdog for the simultaneous 'use of two separate electoral rolls in the upcoming elections'.

In the verdict announced by Chief Election CommissAioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP said at the time of issuance of the schedule for the conduct of 2nd phase, old electoral rolls were in the field and in accordance with the provisions of Section 39 of the Elections Act 2017. It said these electoral rolls were frozen at that stage.

According to the ECP, at the time of the postponement...