Decision on elections today
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Election Commission of Pakistan once again delaying its decision whether or not to extend the date of elections has said that the final decision would be announced today (Wednesday) after consultation with the political parties. Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad talking to media men said that the final decision whether or not to extend the date of elections would be taken today (Wednesday) during the meeting.
The meeting of election commission would resume on Wednesday at 11:00 am, he said. Secretary Election Commission added that we would make an announcement to hold elections in accordance with schedule or not after consultation with all Political Parties. The Parties would be briefed about the ground realities, he said, adding that, option of Muharram-ul-Harram would be tabled before them during the meeting.
Answering to a question that two leading political parties, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are for holding elections on January 08 as per schedule, Dilshad said, we would take final decision by taking point of view of Political Parties. Several commission offices in Sindh have been ransacked, record set on fire, which included electoral roll and ballot papers, Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad explained. It is merit mentioning here that the election commission received and reviewed the reports tabled by Provincial Government and relevant authorities of commission about law and order situation of the country during the meeting held on Tuesday.
Election Commission was about to announce Tuesday either to hold polls on January 8 or postpone for sometime, but it decided to consult political parties prior to going for any decision. In a last ditch efforts to finally announce about holding or postponing polls, the Election Commission would now approach the political parties to know their view point.
“We have decided to know their view point also,” Dilshad said, referring to political parties. When asked about postponing polls in selective districts, the Secretary Election Commission said, “there is no possibility for it. Election would be held on the same date across the country.” He said election material in 14 districts have been burnt or badly damaged and it may take some time to fulfil the logistics requirements.
Though some of the political parties have already demanded polls on January 8, yet political sentiment and the law and order situation could lead to further deterioration. The sources at Election Commission have claimed that the provincial governments have not described the situation as ideal to hold polls, but opinion of political parties was equally important.
The sources revealed that the provincial governments have also recommended to keep in view the month of Moharram Al Haram, if the Commission takes forward the date for polls. It has also been learnt that in some areas, the authorities would not be able to ferry the polling staff to respective sites safely, if the present situation continues to prevail. The Commission would consult political parties and meet again Wednesday to decide about polls.