ECP says ready to hold local elections in 23 districts of KP after completing delimitation
Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday began consultations with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on fixing the schedule for long-delayed local body elections in 23 districts of the province.
The term of the LGs in the KP ended on March 15 this year. Under the KP Local Government Act 2013, local representatives are elected for a four-year term.
According to a statement issued by the ECP spokesperson, the commission held an important meeting to discuss the electoral calendar. The meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in the presence of ECP members, ECP Secretary, KP Chief Secretary, Provincial Secretary Local Government and other senior officials of the provincial government and the commission.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the importance of establishing local governments, saying that holding local elections was a constitutional requirement under Article 140 of the Constitution.
“Under section 219(4) of the Electoral Act, the Electoral Commission is required to hold local elections within 120 days of the expiration of the term of office of local governments,” he said.
The committee was informed that the term of office of local government institutions in KP expired on March 14 and June 19, 2026, respectively.
The ECP was also informed that it had completed the delimitation process in all 23 districts of the province and was fully prepared to hold elections there.
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The commission said consultations with provincial government officials were underway in accordance with Section 219(3) of the Election Act and Rule 15(1) of the KP Local Councils (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2021, so that the election date for the 23 districts could be announced in accordance with the law.
At the meeting, the KP chief secretary said the provincial government had received the ECP’s letter seeking consultations on the July 8 election schedule and had immediately forwarded a summary to the provincial cabinet.
“We are administratively ready to assist the Election Commission and make all necessary arrangements for the elections,” he said.
The ECP has asked the chief secretary to provide the commission with a copy of the summary.
The meeting decided that consultations on fixing the election date for the 23 constituencies would resume after 15 days, the ECP spokesperson said.
