ISLAMABAD, 20 August, 2026 (Nosheen): An important meeting regarding the scheduling of local government elections in Punjab was held at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. The meeting was attended by Election Commission members Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (retd.) Ikramullah, along with a four-member Punjab government cabinet committee headed by Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq. The Punjab cabinet committee included Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, Minister for Mines and Minerals; Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah, Minister for Agriculture; and Rana Sikandar Hayat, Minister for Education. The Chief Secretary Punjab and Special Secretary Local Government (LG&CD) also attended the meeting, along with the Secretary Election Commission and senior ECP officials.The Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the importance of establishing elected local governments and stated that holding local government elections is a constitutional requirement under Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. He further noted that under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, the Election Commission is required to conduct local government elections within 120 days after the expiry of the term of local governments. The Election Commission was briefed that the delimitation process in Punjab has been completed. It was also informed that, under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act, 2017 and Section 59 of the Punjab Local Government Act, consultation with the provincial government is required before announcing the schedule for local government elections.

Punjab’s consultative committee, headed by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq, informed the Election Commission that the Chief Minister of Punjab is committed to holding local government elections and has given the committee full authority to conduct consultations with the ECP. The provincial government further stated that it needs time to initiate the election process and ensure the availability of adequate resources. It also highlighted the need for teaching staff during the local government elections. Therefore, the provincial government proposed that the elections be held between December 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027, when school examinations would have been completed and the province would also be less affected by fog.The Chief Secretary Punjab informed the ECP that the provincial government intends to conduct the local government elections in phases during the proposed period to ensure adequate security arrangements and effective administrative management.The Election Commission agreed in principle with the provincial government’s proposal to hold local government elections between December 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027. The ECP directed that if the provincial government intends to conduct the elections in phases, it should present its detailed plan to the Election Commission at the earliest for further consultation.Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja appreciated the proposals put forward by the Punjab cabinet committee and said that the consultation would help pave the way for fulfilling an important constitutional responsibility.