Election Commission set to issue Punjab local govt election schedule

Election Commission rejects April 2027 proposal

The Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to issue the schedule for Punjab’s local government elections without delay. The decision came after the commission rejected the provincial government’s proposal to hold the polls in three phases in April 2027.

According to an official statement, a meeting was held under Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to discuss local government elections in Punjab and cantonment areas. Commission members and senior officials also attended the meeting.

Punjab government’s reasons rejected

The Punjab government had proposed holding the elections in April 2027, citing heavy fog and cold weather in December and the expected start of Ramazan in February. It presented this proposal in its response to the Election Commission on October 14, 2026.

However, the commission said the government’s explanation was not satisfactory. It stated that during consultations completed on August 20, 2026, the provincial government had agreed to hold the elections between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

Officials’ lists requested within a week

The Election Commission decided to move ahead with the election schedule in line with its constitutional and legal responsibilities. It directed the relevant office to submit the election programme for approval immediately.

The commission also expressed disappointment that the Punjab government had not provided the required lists for appointing district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers. It directed the provincial government to submit these lists within one week.

Cantonment elections also to proceed

The meeting also reviewed local government elections in cantonment areas. The commission said it had contacted the Ministry of Defence and other relevant authorities several times and had also written to the prime minister, but had not received a satisfactory response to move the process forward.

The commission decided to proceed with cantonment elections as well and directed its relevant office to submit the election programme for approval without delay. The final dates for elections in Punjab and cantonment areas will be confirmed after the programmes are approved and the official schedules are issued.

The Election Commission’s decision puts pressure on the Punjab government to complete the remaining steps for local elections. The government must now provide the required officials’ lists within a week, while the final election dates will depend on the commission’s approval of the schedules.

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