No More Delays

There can be no more excuses. Across Punjab, there is a growing consensus that local government elections must be held, and held without further delay. The Election Commission of Pakistan has rightly rejected the provincial government’s proposal to postpone the polls until April 2027. It must now stand firm and ensure that the electoral process proceeds as scheduled. The excuse offered by the Punjab government is simply untenable. Smog, dense fog and adverse winter conditions are hardly insurmountable obstacles to holding elections. Indeed, winter is widely considered the most pleasant season in Punjab. If government offices, commercial establishments, educational institutions and virtually every other public activity can function throughout these months, why should elections alone be considered impossible? Sindh, China boost investment cooperation at Shanghai Conference The argument becomes even more absurd when compared with Gilgit-Baltistan, where local government elections are set to proceed in December. This is a region that experiences genuine winter hardships, with heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, blocked roads and communities cut off by severe weather. Yet elections can be organised there. If Gilgit-Baltistan can overcome these logistical challenges, Punjab has absolutely no justification for claiming that its comparatively mild winter makes polling impractical. More troubling is the provincial government’s continued reluctance to fulfil its constitutional obligations. Punjab has been without elected local governments since December 2021. Successive administrations have found one reason after another to postpone the restoration of grassroots democracy. The provincial government had already agreed to a December-January electoral window. Its latest attempt to shift the dates only reinforces the impression that delays have become an institutional habit. Suspect arrested over alleged assault on journalist at Nazimabad Police Station The time for excuses has long passed. Punjab deserves its elected local governments, and the elections must take place, no matter what.

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