Pakistan, Oct. 16 -- The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected the Punjab government's proposal for pushing local government polls to April next year.

Earlier this month, the electoral body proposed holding local government elections in Punjab on December 14 and sent a draft of the suggested schedule to the Punjab chief secretary for consultation.

However, the Punjab government on Wednesday proposed holding the elections in phases on April 4, 11 and 18, citing smog, dense fog and adverse winter weather conditions expected during December and January. On Thursday, the ECP rejected the government's request. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

The commission...