ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has begun delimitation for local government elections in the federal capital and has said that it is ready to hold polls in Punjab and 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but repeated last-minute amendments by federal and provincial governments have stalled the process.
In a statement issued on Friday, an ECP spokesman said that training of delimitation committees for Islamabad has been completed and the deputy commissioner has provided maps. Delimitation will formally begin on August 1 and be completed by October 13.
The commission has also submitted its recommendations on the draft Local Government Conduct of Election Rules to the Ministry of Interior and the chief commissioner of Islamabad, and urged immediate notification so that printing of ballot papers and other election material could begin.
In Punjab, hearings on objections to preliminary delimitations have concluded. Delimitation authorities will communicate their decisions to the committee by August 7 and the final delimitation will be published on August 17. The ECP said it would immediately consult the Punjab government to announce the election schedule.
Says it is prepared to hold elections in Punjab & KP
“The commission is fully ready to hold local government elections in Punjab,” it stated. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, delimitation has been completed in 23 districts while it is underway in seven others.
The ECP met the chief secretary and secretary of local government on July 14 to discuss dates for elections in the 23 districts. At the province’s request, 15 days were given.
However, on July 21, the provincial government amended Section 5(e) of the KP Local Government Act, raising the population limit for village and neighbourhood councils from 5,000-15,000 to 30,000-40,000.
The number of seats in the 9th Schedule was not revised accordingly. The ECP informed the provincial government that the mismatch made delimitation in those districts impossible. On July 28, the chief secretary said the government wanted to amend the 9th Schedule and asked for three weeks.
The ECP has granted the time but said it remains ready to hold elections. The ECP noted that under Article 219(D), Article 140-A of the Constitution and Section 219 of the Elections Act, 2017, it is required to hold local government elections within 120 days of the expiry of local government terms.
It said the commission has completed delimitations and issued schedules for Islamabad and the provinces on multiple occasions in the past, but the process was derailed each time when federal and provincial governments introduced amendments to local government laws during or immediately after delimitation.
Citing the same pattern in KP, the ECP said such changes at the eleventh hour have it impossible to hold polls on time and created legal and administrative confusion. It also suggested that any major restructuring of the local government system be enacted at least one year before the expiry of terms to allow timely elections.
Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026
