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Balochistan High Court clears decks for Balochistan LG polls
Wed, October 15, 2025
In a significant development for local democracy, the Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday dismissed all petitions challenging the delimitation process and census data, paving the way for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to proceed with long-delayed local government elections in the province.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Iqbal Ahmed Kasi and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal announced the reserved verdict while hearing a series of constitutional petitions that had stalled preparations for the polls.
The court ruled that the authority to carry out delimitations lies exclusively with the ECP under the Constitution, emphasizing that judicial interference in the process is not permissible. It observed that the petitioners had neither submitted valid objections during the prescribed period nor presented any evidence suggesting that the rights of voters were violated.
Rejecting arguments against the use of 2017 census data, the bench found no violation of legal or constitutional provisions. All interim orders issued in 2023 that had temporarily restrained the electoral process were also vacated.
The judgment underscored that timely local elections are vital to ensure public participation and effective governance. "The strength and balance of the vote form the foundation of every electoral system," the bench remarked, directing the ECP to complete the electoral process at the earliest.
Legal experts view the decision as a major milestone toward restoring democratic structures at the grassroots level in Balochistan, where local bodies have remained dysfunctional for nearly two years due to litigation and procedural delays. The ruling now clears the last legal hurdle, allowing the ECP to finalize schedules and initiate polling arrangements across the province.
With this verdict, Balochistan moves a step closer to reinstating representative local governance and resuming long-stalled civic development initiatives.
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