ISLAMABAD (LAHORE MIRROR) — The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced that the first phase of local government elections in Punjab will be held on February 7, 2027, while suspending the ongoing preparations for local government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until further orders.
A four-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, announced the decision after hearing a case concerning the conduct of local government elections in Punjab.
In a short order, the commission accepted a request submitted by the Punjab chief secretary regarding the election schedule.
During the hearing, the chief secretary informed the commission that the provincial government had initially agreed to hold local government elections between December 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027.
However, following consultations, the Punjab cabinet committee recommended postponing the polls until April 2027, citing smog, dense fog, unfavourable weather conditions, the holy month of Ramazan and the unavailability of schoolteachers.
The provincial government subsequently requested the ECP to hold the elections in April.
According to the commission, the government later revised its request and proposed January or February 2027, arguing that weather conditions generally improve in February.
After considering the request, the ECP decided to hold the first phase of local government elections in Punjab on February 7, 2027.
The commission said the decision was aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for candidates and voters in the constituencies concerned.
It also reiterated its constitutional responsibility to organise local government elections across the provinces, cantonment areas and Islamabad.
ECP suspends local government election process in KP
Separately, the ECP suspended preparations for local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after reviewing a federal government order issued on November 4.
Last week, the commission had directed its relevant office to prepare an election schedule for KP districts where the delimitation process had been completed, while excluding certain districts under special administrative arrangements.
The ECP had earlier decided not to schedule elections in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Mohmand, Orakzai and North Waziristan in accordance with a federal government order dated October 11.
During Thursday’s meeting, chaired by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, the commission examined the implications of the latest federal government order, particularly its second clause concerning the suspension of Article 140A of the Constitution.
The commission observed that the scope of the order had been extended to districts beyond those covered by previous directives.
It also noted that Article 140A(2) assigns the responsibility of conducting local government elections to the Election Commission.
After reviewing the impact of the federal order on the ongoing electoral process, the ECP concluded that holding polls in the remaining districts was no longer possible under the prevailing circumstances.
Consequently, the commission announced that all preparations and measures for local government elections in the affected KP districts would remain suspended until further orders.
