LAHORE, Pakistan: The second phase of Local Body elections will be held in 12 districts of the Punjab province on November 19 under strict security, according to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
A total of 14,585,822 voters are registered in Attock, Chiniot, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Jhelum, Khanewal, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Sahiwal, Hafizabad, Toba Tek Singh and Sargodha, according to the ECP.
The ECP has formed 9,011 constituencies including 1,102 Union Councils for direct elections, 6,602 wards within union councils, 64 municipal committees, 1,297 wards in municipal committees in all 12 districts.
District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) have already been appointed by the ECP for this purpose, and they have been asked to fulfil their duties in accordance with the provision of law and rules and maintain neutrality and impartiality.
As many as 12 DROs, 234 ROs and 468 AROs will supervise the election process while 11,906 presiding officers, 70,400 APOs and 35,200 Polling Officers will be responsible for holding elections.
To facilitate voters, there are a total of 35,200 polling booths at 11,906 polling stations.
According to Punjab Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance 2015, a union council shall have a directly elected chairman and a vice-chairman as joint candidates, and 6 councillors on general seats–one each from a ward.
These members can contest polls either on party tickets or as independent candidates.
The electorates will only vote for the panel of a chairman and one general councillor from their respective ward. Once elected, the general members will elect two female members, one worker, a youth and a non-Muslim member for their wards.
Third phase for LB elections will commence on December 5 in Lyyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhawalpur, Rajanpur, Rahim yar Khan, Multan, Rawalpindi, Muzaffargarh, Narowal, Jhang and Khushab.
Source: APP
