The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recommended legal amendments to ensure the timely conduct of local government elections across the country.
According to the ECP spokesperson, local governments are a vital pillar of the democratic system. However, successive governments have so far failed to hold local elections on schedule.
The Election Commission has submitted recommendations to the government proposing amendments to Section 219 of the Election Act 2017. Under the proposed changes, local government elections would be mandatory upon the expiration or dissolution of local bodies.
The ECP emphasized that conducting local elections is a shared responsibility of the federal and provincial governments, along with the Election Commission. Timely elections are crucial for maintaining democratic continuity.
The spokesperson further noted that without a robust local government system, democracy cannot effectively reach the grassroots level, and delays in legislation are adversely affecting the democratic process.