ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Friday that it has postponed by-elections for nine constituencies across the country, citing the devastating floods that have damaged infrastructure and displaced voters. The decision affects five National Assembly and four Punjab Assembly seats, with a new schedule to be announced once the situation normalizes.
According to a report by Dawn, the ECP’s decision comes as the floods have damaged public and private infrastructure, including schools and government buildings designated as polling stations and for storing election records. The civil administration and law enforcement agencies are heavily engaged in ongoing rescue and relief operations, making them unavailable for election-related duties. The Punjab government had also requested the postponement to focus on flood relief efforts.
The by-elections were originally scheduled following the disqualification of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers. The ECP noted that a large portion of the population in the affected constituencies has been displaced, which would lead to voter disenfranchisement and low turnout if the elections were to proceed.
As Pakistan grapples with the widespread disaster, international partners have stepped up their assistance. The United Kingdom announced an additional £1.2 million in humanitarian aid on Thursday to support Pakistan’s response, particularly in the Sindh province, bringing the UK’s total humanitarian support to £2.53 million. The funds will be channeled through NGOs to bolster early warning systems, enable evacuations, and pre-position essential supplies.
The United Nations is also working closely with Pakistani authorities. Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has released USD 600,000 from the Regional Humanitarian Pooled Fund to aid recovery efforts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed solidarity with Pakistan, commending the authorities for relocating more than one million people in Punjab.
Amid the crisis, health concerns are on the rise. Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Health has issued advisories to prevent potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dengue, and malaria due to contaminated floodwaters. Citizens have been urged to follow health protocols to stay safe.
In a separate development, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated in its “Desert Locust Bulletin” that Pakistan currently faces no immediate threat from desert locusts, with no significant developments expected.