The second phase of local government elections in Sindh and the by-election for Aamir Liaquat’s vacated seat NA 245 have been postponed, drawing an angry reaction from the PTI and JI.

The decision was taken over the possibility of a third spell of monsoon rain in Sindh. Heavy rains are likely from July 22 to 26, according to the Met office. The local government elections were supposed to happen on Sunday, July 24.

The Chief Secretary of Sindh sent a letter to the Election Commission in which it was said that the weather would have to be factored in, as urban flooding as been predicted.

In the second phase, elections are to be held in sixteen districts of Karachi and Hyderabad divisions. The Election Commission has now fixed August 28 for the local body elections. The by-elections will be held on August 21.

In the second phase, elections are to be held in sixteen districts of Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.

Bad reaction

Political parties are unhappy with the decision.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has said it disagrees with the decision of the Election Commission. PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman asked why the Commission did not ask all the political parties before taking such a call. The Commission knew that the PTI was winning in Sindh, he maintained. And as Imran Khan has said before, Khurram Sher Zaman also demanded that the Election Commissioner resign.

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman announced that they would hold a sit-in outside the Election Commission of Sindh on July 22. They feel that election rules are being violated as postponing an election is a conspiracy against democracy. They want them held on time.