QUETTA: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated the process for holding local bodies’ elections in Quetta district, following the orders of the Balochistan High Court, which dismissed all petitions seeking to halt the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC) elections.

The Balochistan government had submitted a request to delay the QMC election, but the Election Commission rejected this plea and announced that elections will be held on December 28.

Provincial Election Commissioner Ali Asghar Sial announced on Monday that the formal process for local government elections in Quetta has commenced.

Candidates contesting for 172 Union Councils and 641 wards will be able to obtain nomination papers from November 13 to November 17. This will be followed by scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers. Final symbols will be allotted to candidates on December 6, while polling will take place on December 28, and results will be announced on December 31.

Nomination papers available from Nov 13 to 17; polling scheduled for Dec 28

Speaking on Monday, the Provincial Election Commissioner said that the services of the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), and police would be utilised to ensure security during the elections. He added that local government elections in 35 districts of Balochistan have already been completed, and now the process in Quetta is underway.

Mr Sial informed that the ECP has appointed a District Returning Officer, 17 Returning Officers, and 34 Assistant Returning Officers, all of whom have completed training and taken oaths. In Quetta, elections will be held for 172 Union Councils and 641 wards. Initially, ward members will be elected, followed by Union Council members. After elections for reserved seats, the Chairman and Vice Chairman will be chosen.

Quetta has been divided into four towns — Chiltan, Zarghoon, Takatu, and Sariab. Following the election of reserved seats, the Metropolitan Corporation will be formed, and the Chairmen of all four towns will elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Quetta.

Mr Sial further stated that Quetta has over 870,000 registered voters, excluding cantonment areas, and the final list specifying male and female voters will be finalised within a couple of days. Based on the 2017 census, delimitations were carried out dividing Quetta into four towns: Sariab (38 UCs), Takatu (42 UCs), and Chiltan and Zarghoon (40 UCs each).

Out of the 172 Union Councils, general members will be elected who will also form the Metropolitan Corporation, followed by elections for reserved seats — 33 per cent for women, 5pc each for workers, minorities, and farmers. These members will vote for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The elections will also include the selection of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for the Union Councils and later for the towns. Party-affiliated candidates will receive their party symbols, while independent candidates will be allotted different election symbols.

The provincial election commissioner emphasised that the Election Commission of Pakistan is committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections under the law and the Election Act to ensure that no one has grounds for complaint. He concluded that the elections in Quetta had been delayed for over two years due to legal challenges against delimitations, but now, following the court’s directives, the election process has resumed.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2025