The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday withdrawn the delimitation schedule for Punjab’s local body elections.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, during which the Punjab government was granted four weeks to finalize rules for delimitation and demarcation.
Punjab given four weeks to frame rules
According to the Secretary of the Election Commission, the Punjab Assembly has passed the Local Government Act 2025, which has also been approved by the Governor of Punjab.
The Secretary further informed the meeting that the 2022 Act stands repealed with the issuance of the new legislation, meaning any steps taken under the previous law would now violate the Election Act.
The ECP has directed the provincial government to prepare the necessary rules within four weeks, emphasizing that no further extension will be granted beyond this deadline.
“If the required work is not completed within the stipulated period, the Election Commission will hold a regular hearing and take an appropriate decision,” officials warned.
During the briefing, the Secretary Election Commission highlighted that the entire structure of local governments has been changed under the new act.
A letter for approval of the Local Government Act 2025 has already been sent to the provincial government, and the ECP confirmed that all notifications regarding delimitation under the 2022 framework stand withdrawn.
The Special Secretary (Law) noted that since the new law has replaced the old framework, continuing any process based on the Local Government Act 2022 would legally contradict the Election Act.
Earlier schedule for Dec 2025 elections
It may be recalled that on October 8, the Election Commission had announced that local body elections in Punjab would be held in December 2025 under the Local Government Act 2022.
The decision was made by a five-member bench of the ECP headed by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, directing that the delimitation of constituencies be completed within two months to pave the way for polls.
At that time, the ECP had confirmed that the elections would follow the Local Government Act 2022, ensuring compliance with the prevailing legal framework governing local administration in Punjab.
During earlier proceedings, CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja had voiced concern over delays in holding elections, saying,
“It is a matter of embarrassment for us that elections are not being held in Islamabad and Punjab.”
The ECP had faced mounting pressure from political parties, including the PPP, which had publicly demanded that local body elections in Punjab be held without further delay.
