KARACHI: Local Bodies elections in over a dozen districts of Karachi and Hyderabad as well as the second phase in other parts of Sindh appeared to be in doldrums yet again when a letter by the provincial police surfaced on Monday seeking to defer the same citing recent flood.
The letter by the Inspector General of Police, addressing Sindh Home Department, cited the deployment of police personnel in flood-hit areas, due to which they were unable to cooperate in the peaceful execution plan of LB polls as per Election Commission’s schedule.
As per the letter, 1305 polling stations fall in the category of ‘Most Sensitive’, for which 9,198 police personnel are required. Similarly, 3,688 polling stations fall in the category of ‘Sensitive’ where the deployment of 14,221 personnel is required.
The letter suggests that as against the requirement of 39,293 personnel for the 2nd phase of LB Polls, the total strength of available force stands around 22,507, thus making a shortfall of 16,786 personnel.
it is pertinent to mention here that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had sought a written reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging the delay in holding the second phase of local government (LG) polls in Sindh, which were originally scheduled for October 25.
