Punjab to hold local body polls between Dec 15 and Jan 15: ECP

Lahore/ISLAMABAD – The country's top election regulatory authority on Thursday formally agreed to the Punjab government's proposal to hold local administration elections in the province between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

Key points

• "The commission, in principle, agreed with the provincial government's proposal to hold local government elections between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027, " it stated.
• According to Zeeshan Rafique further, the dates of December 15 to January 15 were proposed keeping in mind the exams and foggy conditions.
• Over 21, 900 Pakistanis deported from Gulf countries since March, NA informed.
• President Zardari felicitates Mirza Fakhrul Islam on election as Bangladesh President.
• The session was additionally informed that the delimitation process in Punjab had been completed.

Meanwhile, the electoral watchdog has given their consent in a session chaired Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, held at the ECP's headquarters to discuss fixing a date for the local administration elections in Punjab.

In practice, a four-member Punjab cabinet committee, headed by Local Administration Minister Zeeshan Rafiq and comprising Mines and Minerals Minister Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, additionally attended the session, along with the Punjab chief secretary and local administration special secretary. The electoral body states that the chief election commissioner highlighted the importance of establishing local governments and remarked that holding local administration elections is a constitutional requirement under Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. "Under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, the Election Commission is bound to hold local government elections within 120 days of the expiry of the term of local governments, " according to the CEC.

In practice, the session was additionally informed that the delimitation process in Punjab had been completed. "Under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act 2017 and Section 59 of the Punjab Local Government Act, consultation with the provincial government is necessary for announcing the date of local government elections, " it stated. It notes that the Punjab cabinet committee briefed the commission that the chief minister of Punjab was committed to holding local administration elections in the province and had given the committee full authority to hold consultations.

Punjab's chief secretary shared with participants that the provincial administration wanted to hold the elections in phases during the aforementioned period so that adequate security and better arrangements could be provided, the release stated. Over 21, 900 Pakistanis deported from Gulf countries since March, NA informed.

According to Punjab Local Administration Minister Zeeshan Rafique, the Chief Minister Punjab is committed to holding local body elections in the province, time is needed to hold the elections and provide adequate resources.

According to Zeeshan Rafique further, the dates of December 15 to January 15 were proposed keeping in mind the exams and foggy conditions. According to The Chief Secretary Punjab, the provincial administration wants to hold local body elections in phases, the Election Commission has sought a plan from the Punjab administration regarding the phased elections shortly. Financial irregularities wouldn't be tolerated, CM warns Suthra Punjab firms.

Taken together, the developments around punjab to hold local body polls between Dec 15 and Jan 15: point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.