Government unaware of possible UP election schedule: State Minister

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam has said there has been no discussion with the government regarding the publication of a possible schedule for holding Union Parishad (UP) elections in seven phases.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said they had seen reports in the media and on social media about the possible UP election schedule announced by the Election Commission. However, nothing was formally communicated to the government in this regard.

The state minister said the Election Commission is an independent constitutional body. The commission has the constitutional authority to conduct elections and fix polling dates. However, as per conventional practice, preparations for holding local government elections are made in coordination with the relevant ministry of the government.

He said that usually, preparatory meetings are held with the government before organising elections. Alongside this, discussions are held with the relevant law enforcement agencies on the law and order situation, administrative preparations and other necessary matters.

Mir Shahe Alam said various administrative and financial matters, including the budget, are involved in organising local government elections. There has been no discussion between the Election Commission and the Ministry of Local Government or the government on these matters.

The state minister also clarified that the government is not yet informed about the possible dates for the UP elections published by the Election Commission. He said that although the commission performs its constitutional duties independently, coordination among the relevant parties is necessary in preparing for elections.