ECP delays second phase of KP LG elections until March

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided on Wednesday to delay the second phase of local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) until March, ARY News reported, citing informed sources.

They said the commission made this decision in view of harsh weather in most of the districts where the polls are going to be held. The second phase of local body polls in the remaining 18 districts of the province, including Hazara and Malakand, will now be held in March.

Also Read: PTI paid price for ‘mistakes’: PM Imran Khan on KP LG polls results

Earlier, reports said the second phase of LG polls will be held on Jan 16 and the departments concerned were issued directives to make arrangements in this regard.

The first phase of LG polls was held in the KP province on Dec 19. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered a major setback as its arch-rival JUI-F managed to grab the highest number of seats in the city, tehsil councils, village and neighbourhood councils.

Also Read: Setback for PTI on home turf as JUI-F leads local government polls in KP

JUI-F’s Zubair Ali also won the hotly-contested poll for the top slot of Peshawar mayor. He bagged 62,388 votes followed by Rizwan Bangash of PTI with 50,659 votes.