Neither a list of candidates nor the results of the Local Body elections held in Punjab in 1998 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Country Reports 1998 writes the following about the Local Body elections in Punjab:

Elections for local government bodies were held in Punjab on May 20. At least 54 persons died in local vendettas during the campaign and balloting. Although ruling party candidates won most seats, the provincial government did not name chairmen to these bodies or allow them to take office until December. Specially nominated women, worker, and peasant representatives were chosen, after long delay, on October 15. Elections have not been held in the other provinces since 1993, when these bodies were dissolved by a caretaker government because of charges of corruption. In the interim, appointed civil servants continue to administer local governments in all four provinces (1999, Sec. 3).

On 20 May 1998, PPI News Service reported that polling was proceeding smoothly in Lahore. PPI wrote that candidates backed by the Pakistan Muslim League ran in each of the 250 constituencies and five of them were elected unopposed (ibid.). The Ehtesab Group fielded candidates in 144 ridings and "PPP like-minded candidates", in 220 ridings (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Response.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1998_hrp_report/pakistan.htm [Accessed 8 Nov. 2000]

PPI News Service [Karachi]. 20 May 1998. "Local Bodies' Polls in Punjab Going Smoothly."

Pakistan Country File (1998). Resource Centre.

LEXIS/NEXIS

World News Connection (WNC)

The High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Ottawa

Internet Sites including:

Business Recorder [Karachi]

Daily Hot News [Islamabad]

The Globe [Karachi]

Government of Pakistan

The Herald [Karachi]

The News on Sunday [Karachi]

Pakistan News Service

South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC)

The Tribune [Chandigarh]

UNDP Pakistan