ANP Defends Postponement of Quetta Local Government Elections, Calls Disenfranchisement of 400,000 Voters a Human Rights Violation

**Quetta:** The Awami National Party (ANP), in a provincial statement, highlighted the importance and effectiveness of local government institutions, terming them an established reality for public service delivery across the world. The party said that in developed countries, public services are largely provided through empowered local bodies, but unfortunately the local government system has been consistently neglected in Balochistan.

The statement said that from the very outset, the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan in the postponement of local government elections in Quetta had not been satisfactory. The ANP stressed that depriving more than 400,000 voters in Quetta district of their right to vote amounts to a serious violation of fundamental human rights, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

The party pointed out that local government elections were conducted across the province under the new census, while in Quetta attempts were made to hold elections on the basis of the old census, terming it discriminatory and unjust. It added that the wastage of huge government resources for a period of just two to four months was beyond comprehension.

While acknowledging flaws in the delimitation process, the ANP said it had completed all necessary preparations for the local government elections. The party reaffirmed its complete faith in the democratic process and vowed to continue its struggle at every level for the protection of the constitutional rights of the people.

In conclusion, the Awami National Party demanded that, keeping in view the fundamental importance of the local government system, timely and effective planning should be ensured in the future to empower people at the grassroots level and strengthen democracy in its true spirit.