LAHORE:
After almost a decade, preparations for local elections in Punjab are finally gaining momentum. While the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered that all administrative arrangements be finalized before the end of the year, critics still believe that the provincial government has no real intention of holding elections in a timely manner.
Local governance analyst Salman Abid argued that although the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), as a coalition partner, had not shown any objection to the existing law, crucial issues such as power sharing, rule-making and delimitation remained unresolved.
“Therefore, elections may not take place before March 2026 since the government fears losing its authority and has created companies and authorities to maintain control. The provincial setup resembles General Zia-ul-Haq’s system of 1979, paving the way for non-party elections and increased centralization of power. The district government structure has also been abolished,” Abid noted.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly Speaker stressed the need for effective legislation to ensure that local bodies are empowered under Article 140-A of the Constitution. “I have formed a special parliamentary committee to review the laws, recommend reforms and ensure that the spirit of Article 140-A is fully incorporated. Democracy cannot be strengthened without local governments with constitutional powers,” the President said.
Punjab last held local elections in May 2015, following which the local bodies were dissolved due to political and legal disputes. In 2022, the Punjab Local Government Act introduced direct election of representatives, but amendments in 2023 and 2025 reshaped the framework.
Under the amended Act, 2025, union councils and wards will be demarcated based on population, geography and administrative amenities. The Local Government Department must now prepare clear rules regarding delimitation, distribution of seats and financial and administrative powers, so that elected local bodies can function effectively.
The ECP demanded the Punjab government to immediately complete the delimitation. Preliminary delimitation lists are expected by the third week of December 2025, followed by 15 days for public objections. The Chief Election Commissioner reiterated that holding the elections was a joint responsibility of the provincial government and the ECP. At a recent high-level meeting, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman assured that the Punjab government was committed to the process. “The draft delimitation rules under the Local Government Act, 2025 have already been shared with the ECP. Notifications regarding classification and demarcation of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees and Tehsil Boards will be sent by December 22, followed by union council numbers by December 31 and certified maps by January 10, 2026. The ECP will then begin the delimitation process,” Zaman said.
Meanwhile, opposition parties including the PPP and PTI have criticized the provincial government for attempting to centralize powers through recent amendments. Sheikh Imtiaz of the PTI claimed that the elections were being held without a party, allowing individuals to run first and choose their party affiliation later. “This structure could encourage vote buying and manipulation. The government wants to delay the elections to maintain control,” Imtiaz said.
The Punjab government spokesperson, however, said that under the new system, local bodies would be given greater financial autonomy, allowing elected representatives to form local development budgets similar to provincial assemblies.
In preparation, the ECP has started financial assessments for the elections. He also plans to assign election duties to public school teachers. However, the Ministry of Education has expressed concerns, pointing out that elections held in January or March 2026 could disrupt school schedules and school board exams.
Despite political disagreements, the ECP and the Punjab government appear to be moving cautiously towards the restoration of local governance in the province. Yet with pending laws, incomplete rules and administrative bottlenecks, the timing of actual elections remains uncertain.
