SITUATIONER: Uncertainty looms over LG elections as polling day draws near.

WHILE polling for the first phase of the local government elections in Sindh is around the corner, the fate of elected LG organisations hangs in the balance since the polls are being conducted under the old Sindh Local Government Act 2013 that gives very little authority and powers to elected LG representatives and all stakeholders want it amended in the light of Article 140-A of the Constitution as directed by the Supreme Court in its Feb 1 verdict.

Many believe the exercise of holding LG elections may not serve the purpose as the elected bodies to be formed as a result of these elections would remain toothless and the provincial government continues to exercise their powers under the SLGA 2013.

Currently, a select committee of the Sindh Assembly comprising members from the both sides of the aisle is holding deliberations to reform the existing LG law, but the process is so slow that any consensus amendment might be carried out after the LG polls, which are going to be held in two phases on June 26 and July 24.

The first phase of the LG elections are held in Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions on June 26. Polling for Karachi and Hyderabad divisions will be held on July 24.

LG law of 2013 is yet to be amended; judiciary to decide on govt-opposition's postponement request

However, it remains to be seen what will be the legal and constitutional repercussions or the powers of elected organisations if the LG elections were held as per schedule under the SLGA 2013 without complying with the apex court's Feb 1 ruling.

All parties want postponement

The 19-member select committee, headed by LG minister Nasir Hussain Shah, has also conceded that without carrying out necessary reforms in the law, LG election would not serve the purpose and it unanimously recommended postponement of the polls and a lawyer for the Sindh government submitted the minutes of their meeting before the Sindh High Court.

Lawyers are of the view that the entire electoral exercise would be of no use and LG representatives would remain toothless if the SC judgement was not implemented in letter in spirit.

Karachi Administrator and Chief Minister's Law Adviser Barrister Murtaza Wahab says the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party is willing to amend the law to make the local government system effective and empowered.

About Sindh government's stance to postpone the LG elections, Barrister Wahab, who is also an ex-officio member of the select committee, says it's...