The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced postponing by-elections in various constituencies of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa “in view of the devastation caused by floods”.
The development came as former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been running an election campaign to mobilise voters ahead of the crucial by-elections that have been postponed by the electoral watchdog.
Imran had filed nomination papers for all the nine seats — in a bid to set a record — that fell vacant after the National Assembly speaker had accepted the resignations of his party’s lawmakers.
According to the ECP, the by-elections were scheduled in the National Assembly constituency of NA-157 (Multan) and provincial assembly of Punjab constituencies PP-139 (Sheikhupra) and PP-241 (Bahawalnagar) on Sunday.
Polling in NA-22 (Mardan), NA-24 (Charsadda) NA-31, Peshawar, NA-45, Kurram, NA 108 (Faisalabad )NA-118 (Nankana Sahib), NA-237 (Malir), NA-239,(Korangi) and NA-246 (Karachi) was to be held on 25th of this month, while by-election in PP-209 (Khanewal) was scheduled for 2nd of the next month (October).
The ECP said only the by-polls in the above-mentioned constituencies have been postponed, while all the other procedures and steps will be completed as per schedule.
It said the decision to postpone the by-elections has been taken after getting proper feedback from the Interior Ministry according to which Pakistan Army, Rangers and the Frontier Corps are busy in relief work for the flood-affected people, maintaining internal security and thwarting terrorist activities in the country.
The electoral authority further said ensuring peaceful elections is the prime responsibility and priority of the ECP for which services of the Pakistan Army, Rangers and other security agencies were not available at the moment. “Hence, the decision to postpone the by-election was taken in the best interest of the public so that peaceful polling process can be ensured.”
The ECP will announce new dates for the polling as soon as it finds the availability of the law enforcement agencies’ personnel, it added.
Also read: Imran files papers in all 9 NA constituencies
Record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in Pakistan’s northern mountains have brought floods that have affected over 33 million people and killed nearly 1,400, including children. The inundation, blamed on climate change, is still spreading.
Villagers near Manchhar lake fled their homes on Thursday due to rising flood waters. The disaster has estimated to have caused losses of about $10 billion, disrupting the lives of millions.
In Sindh, one of the worst-hit regions, people worked to strengthen an existing dyke as floodwaters threatened the town of Bhan Syedabad.
National disaster authorities said 12 deaths in the last 24 hours carried the toll to 1,355. Seven were children, who make up 481 of the dead.
In July and August, Pakistan got 391mm of rain, or nearly 190% more than the 30-year average, while Sindh got 466% more than the average.
The World Health Organisation has said more than 6.4 million people need humanitarian support in the flooded areas.
