olding local government elections is a constitutional obligation. Provinces are required to hold them whenever the term of local governments expires. Unfortunately, these elections are delayed on one pretext or the other and held only after intervention by courts. Historically, local governments have been patronised by dictators as they suit their purpose. At the moment, there are no functional local governments in the country though schedules to hold elections for these are under discussion.

In Sindh, the election schedule has been announced and polling is scheduled to take place on June 26. As per details, the elections will be held in two phases and the process will take place in 14 districts of four divisions – Sukkkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpur Khas – first. This decision has been challenged by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on the grounds that the Sindh Local Government Act (SLGA) 2013 must be amended as per the instructions of the apex court which had struck down Sections 74 and 75(1) which were in clash with the spirit of independent local governments. It says the law must be brought in conformity with Article 140 A of the constitution to ensure autonomy for local governments.

National politics cannot be ignored while discussing local government polls. While there are those that think the local government polls will not be held, others believe they will be impacted by the developments at the federal level.

For example, there is talk about an agreement between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Pakistan Peoples Party under which they will contest elections together in exchange for having extended support to the former in the no-confidence motion against the former prime minister. PPP quarters deny such an agreement.

Zahid Islam, the executive director of Sangat Development Foundation, says there are two main political forces that have been contesting local government elections in Sindh as main contenders: the MQM and the PPP. For the first time in many years they are said to have reached some settlement. A key features of the agreement, he says, is that the two have agreed to share power in some of the urban areas like Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mirpur Khas.

Islam says in these urban centres, the PPP may not contest leadership. However, the bone of contention is the division of powers between local governments and the provincial government. Second, the MQM has already rejected SLGA 2013 amended in 2021 and the apex court has directed the provincial government to amend the law. It has yet to be amended. Therefore, he adds, elections will not take place peacefully adding that there will be issues and problems in fielding candidates. “It will be amazing if both parties are able to honour the agreement,” he adds.

Islam says these parties have their separate concerns about the census results. The PPP is of the view that delimitations cannot be done without a fair census. The MQM has also shown reservations about census results. He says this is on account of pressure of federal politics that both have accepted the results. Meanwhile, the Council for Common Interest (CCI) has decided to hold a fresh census. However, that proposal has to be approved by the National Assembly. Currently, he says, the two are not pressing their reservations and appear to have abandoned their old demands.

The PPP leadership has sought to dispel this impression and announced that it will field its candidates on all seats and contest the elections in earnest. PPP Sindh president, Nisar Khuhro, said as much at a meeting with political workers. He did not hint at forming an alliance or not fielding candidates on any seats.

Yasir Babbar, head of Imkan Media Group, tells The News on Sunday that the PPP will have to compete with the Grand National Alliance in certain areas. However, most of the seats it currently holds are ‘safe’. He says in urban areas, the MQM will give it a tough time.

On Sindh’s politics, Babbar says biradaris play a major role with most people voting for candidates hailing from their own clans. That is why this aspect is kept in mind while awarding tickets in the first stage of local government elections.

Babbar says that the PTI has failed to make a mark in Sindh’s politics. He says there is little hope for it.

Kunwar Dilshad, a former secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan, is not sure whether the elections in Sindh will be held on time. He says in view of the agreement between the MQM and the PPP, there can be a deadlock till a consensus law is drafted.

Law and order is another concern. MQM convener Kunwar Naveed has written a letter to the ECP demanding that polls be held in three phases rather than two. His point is that previous polls were held in two phases on the basis of 1998 census whereas now they will be held with fresh delimitations.

The author is a staff reporter. He can be reached at shahzada.irfan@gmail.com