The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken a major decision to postpone by-elections in several national and provincial constituencies of Punjab. The reason for this decision is the devastation caused by the recent severe floods. According to the order of the Election Commission, the election process has been postponed in the National Assembly constituencies NA-66 Wazirabad, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-104 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore and NA-143 Sahiwal. Similarly, the by-elections have also been postponed in the Provincial Assembly constituencies PP-73 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98 Faisalabad and PP-203 Sahiwal.
The Election Commission has clarified that due to the floods in Punjab, the communication system has been disrupted, government and private infrastructure has been severely damaged and several school buildings, which were used as polling stations, have been destroyed. Moreover, the civil administration and law enforcement agencies are currently engaged in relief and rescue operations, due to which it is not possible to carry out election duties. According to experts, this decision was inevitable given the ground realities as any electoral process requires the availability of infrastructure, polling stations and security forces which is not possible at present. This decision is a difficult step in terms of democratic continuity, but in view of the flood disasters, public welfare and security have been prioritized.
