ECP moves to schedule Punjab, Cantt local polls

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday decided to proceed with local government elections in Punjab and cantonment areas, directing its offices to immediately submit draft election programmes for approval, after expressing dissatisfaction with the Punjab government’s proposed delay and noting the failure to receive the required formal request for cantonment polls.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and attended by ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (retired) Ikramullah Khan, along with the Election Commission secretary and senior officials.

The commission reviewed the Punjab government’s response, received on October 14, to its October 2 letter and draft election programme. The provincial government proposed holding local government elections in three phases in April 2027, citing dense fog and severe winter conditions in December, followed by the beginning of Ramazan in February.

The ECP, however, declared the response unsatisfactory, noting that consultations with the provincial government under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act had been completed on August 20, 2026. During the consultations, the provincial government had agreed to hold local government elections in Punjab between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

The commission observed that the provincial government was now seeking to change the previously agreed dates. Taking into account its constitutional and legal responsibilities, the ECP decided to proceed with the electoral process and directed its office to immediately submit the draft election programme for Punjab for approval.

The commission also expressed disappointment over the provincial government’s failure to provide lists of officers for appointment as District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers, despite an earlier request.