ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government on Thursday proposed holding the province’s long-delayed local government elections in phases between Dec 15, 2026 and Jan 15, 2027, citing the completion of school exams and better weather conditions.
The proposal was discussed in a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja at the Election Commission Secretariat to fix dates for LG polls in Punjab.
The Election Commission agreed in principle with the proposed time frame. It asked the provincial government to submit a detailed phase-wise plan for consultation at the earliest if it intends to hold the polls in stages.
“The Commission appreciated the suggestions of the Punjab Cabinet Committee,” the CEC said, adding that holding the elections would help fulfil a constitutional obligation. The meeting was attended by ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana and retired Justice Ikramullah.
ECP asks govt to submit phase-wise plan for consultation if it intends to hold polls in stages
From the Punjab government, a four-member cabinet committee led by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique participated. Other members included Mines and Minerals Minister Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah, and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
The Punjab chief secretary and the LG&CD special secretary also attended.
Briefing the Commission, Minister Zeeshan Rafique said the chief minister was committed to holding LG elections and had authorised the committee for consultations. He said the provincial government needed time for “adequate provision of resources” and noted that services of teaching staff would be required for election duties.
“It is more appropriate to hold local government elections from Dec 15, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027, because during this time the exams of the children will also have been completed, and there will be no problem of fog in the province,” he said.
The Punjab chief secretary told the ECP that holding elections in phases during the proposed period would allow for adequate security and better arrangements.
Earlier, the CEC highlighted that holding local government elections was a constitutional requirement under Article 140-A.
Under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, the ECP is bound to hold LG polls within 120 days of the expiry of the term of local governments. The Commission was briefed that the delimitation process in Punjab has 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 election date.
Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026
