ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to postpone by-elections in nine constituencies of Punjab following the recent devastating floods and a formal notification has been issued in this regard.
According to the ECP order, the floods have severely disrupted the communication system, while large-scale damage to public and private infrastructure — particularly school buildings normally used as polling stations and for election record — has made the conduct of polls impossible.
The constituencies where by-elections have been postponed include:
National Assembly seats:
NA-66 (Wazirabad)
NA-96 (Faisalabad)
NA-104 (Faisalabad)
NA-129 (Lahore)
NA-143 (Sahiwal)
Punjab Assembly seats:
PP-73 (Sargodha)
PP-87 (Mianwali)
PP-98 (Faisalabad)
PP-203 (Sahiwal)
The ECP said the civil administration and law enforcement agencies are currently engaged in rescue and relief operations, which makes it not possible to perform the election process.
District Returning Officers of some constituencies (DROS) have reported that polling staff is also engaged in relief activities, and appointment of new polling officers has been requested.
The Election Commission added that roads, railway lines, and polling stations have been badly affected by the floods, while the availability of security personnel and polling staff is not possible.
According to the Election Commission, the Punjab government had also recommended the postponement of the by -elections, which was decided by reviewing the situation.
The ECP has made it clear that a new schedule of by -elections will be issued in these constituencies only after the situation returns to normal.
