Balochistan government seeks to postpone Quetta Local Government elections

Parties in the Balochistan government are reportedly not in favour of holding local government elections in Quetta District, government sources said on Wednesday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had set December 28 as the date for elections for the District Council Quetta and Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC).

However, the Balochistan government had earlier requested the commission to postpone the polls, a plea that was rejected twice.

Following the ECP’s decision, government parties have now reportedly submitted a similar request to the Governor of Balochistan, citing financial concerns.

Sources said the parties argued that only eight to nine months remain in the term of local government bodies in other districts, making the expenditure for holding elections in Quetta unjustified.

Former QMC councillor Aslam Rind criticised the government’s approach, saying, “The government is not serious about holding the elections of the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation. Due to this lack of seriousness, the election campaign could not gain momentum.”

The ECP and the provincial government are yet to issue an official response to the latest request for postponement.

Reporter: Essa Tareen