PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has accelerated preparations for the holding of local government elections in Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has released a schedule for delimitation.
According to the announcement, delimitation in Islamabad will begin on August 1 and will be completed by October 13, 2026. In Punjab, after hearing the objections, the final delimitation will be published on August 17, 2026, after which the polling date will be fixed with the provincial government.
Likewise, delimitation work has already been completed in 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the provincial government has amended the Local Government Act and increased the population limit from 30,000 to 40,000 and has sought another 3 weeks’ time from the Election Commission.
The Election Commission has clarified that under Article 140A of the Constitution and Section 219 of the Elections Act, it is bound to hold elections within 120 days and the institution is fully prepared.
The statement also expressed concern that the federal and provincial governments have often amended laws before the elections, while the Election Commission’s proposal for timely legislation was rejected by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, saying that legislation is the sole prerogative of the Parliament.
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