ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a major step toward strengthening grassroots democracy by deciding to conduct local body elections in Punjab and cantonment areas without further delay, directing its relevant wings to take immediate steps for issuing the official election schedule.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP rejected the Punjab government’s proposal to postpone the municipal polls until April 2027, declaring the provincial administration’s stance completely unsatisfactory.
The Commission noted that the provincial government attempted to delay the democratic process citing heavy fog, winter weather, and the holy month of Ramadan, despite both parties having previously agreed to conduct the polls between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
Expressing deep disappointment over the Punjab government’s failure to submit required lists of District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs), and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), the ECP issued a strict one-week deadline for their provision.
To ensure smooth execution, the Commission instructed its staff to present a draft program for local body elections in Punjab and cantonment areas for immediate approval.
Regarding cantonments, the ECP highlighted that despite multiple reminder letters to the Ministry of Defence and a direct letter from the Chief Election Commissioner to the Prime Minister, no concrete response was received.
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Consequently, exercising its constitutional mandate, the ECP resolved to move forward, paving the way for the long-awaited local body elections in Punjab and cantonment areas.
Historical Overview of Local Government Elections in Punjab
Local government elections in Punjab have historically experienced cycles of political restructuring and administrative delays.
Key legislative landmarks include the Punjab Local Government Ordinance (PLGO) of 1979 and 2001, which established decentralized administrative frameworks across districts.
The last comprehensive party-based local body elections were conducted under the Punjab Local Government Act (PLGA) of 2013, holding polls in three phases between October and December 2015.
Since those local councils completed their five-year term in late 2021, political transitions, repeated legislative amendments (such as PLGA 2019 and PLGA 2022), and delimitation revisions have repeatedly delayed fresh municipal elections in the province.
