Pakistan election body postpones local polls in nine flood-ravaged districts of Sindh

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election oversight body on Tuesday postponed local government elections in nine districts of the southern Sindh province in view of heavy rains and floods, which have so far killed 239 people in the province. 
The first phase of local government elections was held in 14 districts of Sindh in June, but the second phase of polls in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, scheduled for July 24, had been postponed due to monsoon downpours. 
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had rescheduled the polls in Karachi and Hyderabad for August 28, however, it has now decided to delay elections in nine districts of the province. 
“In view of recommendations by the provincial election commissioner, district administration and weather reports, the Election Commission of Pakistan has postponed local elections in nine districts of Hyderabad division until the situation gets better,” an ECP spokesperson said in a statement late Tuesday. 
The election oversight body said it would hold a meeting on Wednesday to decide about local government polls in Karachi division after reviewing various points raised by the provincial government, difficulties in the conduct of polls and weather reports for the next few days. 
Pakistan has been hit by one of the worst monsoon seasons in decades, with the Sindh province reporting the highest number of fatalities in the country. On Tuesday, the nationwide death toll surged to 830. 
The country is likely to receive more showers from August 23 till August 26, according to the Met Office.