Major Decision on Local Government Elections in Punjab
Pakistan has taken a significant step towards resolving the long-standing issue of local government elections in Punjab. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently directed that these elections will be held in the last week of December 2025, according to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2022. This decision comes after a lengthy legal process and several delays that have affected the functioning of local governance structures.
A four-member bench of the ECP, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, made this directive following a hearing on the prolonged delay in conducting the elections. The bench included Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, and Babar Hassan Bharwana. The Special Secretary for Local Government from the Punjab government also appeared before the five-member bench during the proceedings.
Delimitation Process Begins
According to the ECP’s directive, the delimitation process in Punjab is set to start on Thursday and is expected to take approximately two months. This process is crucial as it will determine the boundaries of electoral constituencies, ensuring fair representation for all voters. Once completed, the groundwork for the local government elections will be laid, with the goal of holding them by the end of 2025.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja expressed his concerns over the criticism directed at the ECP regarding the delayed elections. He remarked that it was “embarrassing” for the commission that elections had not yet been held in Islamabad and Punjab. His comments highlight the pressure on the ECP to ensure timely and transparent elections.
Background and Legal Context
The tenure of Punjab’s local bodies ended on December 31, 2021, but no elections have been conducted for over three years. During this period, the provincial government made five amendments to the local government law, with a sixth currently in progress. Despite multiple rounds of delimitation and a declared schedule, the polls remained unheld.
ECP officials emphasized that the 2022 Local Government Act remains in effect, allowing for elections to be conducted using either Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or ballot papers. The Director General of Law confirmed that there are no legal barriers to holding elections under the 2022 rules.
Urgency and Challenges
The ECP’s Special Secretary stated that the delimitation process in Punjab will take between two to two-and-a-half months and must begin immediately. They also warned that the Supreme Court has cautioned against further delays, underscoring the importance of adhering to the timeline set by the ECP.
The Punjab government mentioned that its standing committee approved the new local government law on August 6. However, the implementation of the law faced setbacks due to floods and the absence of an assembly session. The bill is expected to be tabled in the next session, which may provide a pathway for the necessary legal framework to support the upcoming elections.
Conclusion
The ECP’s decision marks a critical turning point in the political landscape of Punjab. It sets a clear timeline for the conduct of local government elections, which is essential for maintaining democratic processes and ensuring the participation of citizens in local governance. While challenges remain, the commitment to hold elections in December 2025 signals a positive step forward for the region.
