ECP says ready to hold LG polls in Punjab, KP, blames last-minute amendments for delays
Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP) has confirmed it is ready to hold local government elections in Punjab and 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, repeated last-minute amendments by the federal and provincial governments have stalled the process.
In Punjab, hearings on objections to the preliminary delimitation had concluded, with the ECP stating that its decision would be communicated by August 7, 2026, followed by final delimitation publication on August 17, 2026. The commission will immediately consult the Punjab government to announce an election schedule.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was reported that delimitation had been completed in 23 districts, while seven others were underway. Under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act, the ECP met with the chief secretary and local government secretary on July 14, 2026, to discuss the election schedule for the 23 districts.
However, on July 21, 2026, the provincial government amended Section 5(e) of the KP Local Government Act, increasing the population threshold for village and neighbourhood councils from 5,000–15,000 to 30,000–40,000. The number of seats in the Ninth Schedule was not revised accordingly.
The ECP informed the provincial government that the mismatch made delimitation in those districts impossible. On July 28, the chief secretary stated that the government wanted to amend the 9th Schedule and asked for three weeks. However, the ECP had granted time but noted that it remains ready to hold elections.
According to Article 219(D), Article 140-A of the Constitution, and Section 219 of the Elections Act 2017, local government elections must be held within 120 days of the expiry of local government terms. The commission has completed delimitation and issued schedules for Islamabad and the provinces on multiple occasions in the past.
The ECP cited a similar pattern in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to explain why such changes at the eleventh hour made it impossible to hold polls on time and created legal and administrative confusion. To prevent future delays, the commission proposed amendments to Article 140-A and Section 219 to prohibit governments from altering local government laws or district boundaries after the expiry of terms.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs responded on behalf of the federal government, stating that legislation was the prerogative of parliament and could not be restricted. The ECP clarified that it had only proposed changes to enable it to fulfil its constitutional obligation of holding timely elections.
Delimitation for local government elections in Islamabad will formally begin on August 1, with training of delimitation committees completed and deputy commissioners provided with maps. Delimitation is expected to be completed by October 13, 2026.
The ECP has also submitted recommendations on the draft Local Government Conduct of Election Rules to the Ministry of Interior and the Islamabad chief commissioner, urging their immediate notification so that printing of ballot papers and other election material can begin.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
