Quetta – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has firmly dismissed Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s request to postpone the upcoming local government elections in the provincial capital, announcing that the polls will take place as scheduled on December 28.
CM Bugti had urged the commission to delay the elections, citing the fragile law and order situation in the city, the recent suspension of internet services and the severe winter conditions. He argued that these factors could discourage voters and impact the overall safety and accessibility of the polling process.
However, the ECP rejected the plea, terming it “devoid of force.” The commission stated that all essential electoral procedures — including delimitation of constituencies, verification of voter lists and completion of legal requirements — had already been finalized. It added that postponing the polls at this stage would derail the electoral schedule without justified grounds.
The ECP further directed the Balochistan government to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the upcoming elections. It stressed the need for adequate deployment of security personnel, proper coordination with law enforcement agencies and full administrative support to ensure a peaceful voting environment.
According to the official schedule, polling will be conducted in 172 union councils and 641 wards across Quetta. With thousands of candidates in the running, the long-awaited local government elections are expected to shape the future of urban governance and strengthen grassroots democratic representation in the city.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.