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However, the ECP stated in a press release that it had received a security briefing from the Punjab police and other security agencies, who recommended delaying the polls due to the current security situation in the province.
The commission also cited a shortfall of approximately 386,623 security personnel, which made it impossible to hold free and fair elections on the scheduled date.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to postpone the polls in Punjab province due to security reasons,”
The press release read:
“The security agencies have recommended delaying the polls due to the current security situation in the province, as there is a shortfall of approximately 386,623 security personnel, which makes it impossible to hold free and fair elections on the scheduled date.”
The ECP did not announce a new date for the polls, saying only that it would be determined in consultation with the government and security agencies. The decision to postpone the polls has surprised many, as the ECP had earlier said that it was fully prepared to hold the elections on April 30.
The ECP’s notification further mentioned that deploying security personnel at polling stations was necessary to ensure voters’ safety and prevent untoward incidents.
However, the notification noted a shortfall of approximately 386,623 security personnel, and security agencies had recommended delaying the elections to address the security concerns.
The notification read:
“Cognizant of its constitutional and statutory responsibility of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections and to ensure the provision of a secure environment conducive to the holding of general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan, after taking into account all the relevant factors and after assessing the ground realities in the province of Punjab, is of the considered opinion that it is necessary to postpone the said general elections,”
The ECP has not yet announced a new date for the Punjab elections.
