Election Commission of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has given the Punjab government two and a half months to complete the delimitation process ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Punjab Secretary of Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian confirmed on Friday that the provincial government had sought an extension, which was approved. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led Punjab government will complete delimitations in accordance with the recently passed Local Government Act 2025 and hand them over to the ECP.
The electoral body has sought the recently amended set of rules under the new law, maps and all relevant documents from Punjab government.
Confirming the extension request, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman said that the provincial government would be prepared for polls by April or May 2026 and the elections would be held without further delay.
Read: Punjab seeks ‘constitutional protection’ for local bodies
He added that election rules under new Act, which repealed Punjab Local Government Act 2022, would be drafted and submitted to the ECP by November 15, for review and recommendations. The new demilitations of towns, municipal corporations and committees would be notified about a month later, by December 22, said Zaman.
The number of union councils will be finalised by December 31 and verified maps from relevant departments will be sent over to the ECP by January 10, 2026, if all goes according to schedule, said the provincial secretary.
The ECP had earlier notified that Punjab’s local body elections would be held under the new law enacted a week prior — on October 13.
New local bodies law
The Local Government Act 2025 introduced a new structure comprising Municipal Corporations, Tehsil Councils, and Municipal (Town) Committees. The Act formally abolished the District Council system across Punjab, effective October 13.
Under the new system, each Union Council will represent a population of between 22,000 and 27,000 and will comprise 13 members in total, including 9 directly elected councillors and 4 reserved seats (for women, youth, labour, and minorities). The Union Council members will elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson through voting.
Read more: New Local Government Act takes effect
On Friday, the Punjab Assembly sought an amendment to Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan urging the federal government to ensure “constitutional protection” for local governments.
Article 140-A pertains to the establishment of local governments in provinces. “Each Province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local government,” states the provision, ambiguous on details.
The law holds the ECP responsible for holding local government elections.
Punjab government’s proposal calls for the inclusion of a new chapter in the Constitution titled “Local Governments” and recommends that the tenure and responsibilities of local bodies be clearly defined, with stipulations for local government elections to be held within 90 days after the term ends and for newly elected representatives to convene their first session within 21 days.
