ECP fixes Feb 7 as polling date for first phase of Punjab local govt elections

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday decided to hold the first phase of local government elections in Punjab on Feb 7, 2027, accepting the provincial government’s request to schedule polling after Jan 20 in view of fog and weather conditions.</p> <p>ECP had initially <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2034289">proposed</a> holding the elections on December 14.</p> <p>Thursday’s decision was taken by a four-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising members Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi and Babar Hassan Bharwana during a hearing on the conduct of local government elections in Punjab, a statement issued by the ECP said.</p> <p>Chief secretary Punjab and Minister for Local Government and Community Development Zeeshan Rafique, along with the department’s secretary, appeared before the commission.</p> <p>At the outset, the chief secretary apprised the commission that an earlier committee constituted by the Punjab government had held a<a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2024206"> meeting</a> with the ECP, during which it was discussed and mutually decided that the elections would be conducted during the period from <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2034289">December to January.</a></p> <p>He submitted that the provincial government was fully prepared to conduct elections in the province and all necessary arrangements in this regard had been completed. The requisite information and documents sought by the ECP regarding the appointment of returning officers and district returning officers had already been furnished, and no administrative impediment remained in the way of holding the elections.</p> <p>He stated that the provincial government had no objection to the announcement of the election schedule.</p> <p>The chief secretary, however, requested that the date of election preferably be fixed after Jan 20, 2027, in a phased manner, keeping in view weather conditions and administrative convenience, to ensure the smooth, transparent and orderly conduct of the electoral process.</p> <p>He explained that December and January were generally marked by dense fog in Punjab, particularly Lahore, which may cause difficulties in transportation, movement and other election-related activities. He also highlighted the seasonal conditions and the importance of adequate daylight for the proper completion of polling arrangements.</p> <p>He further informed the commission that the provincial government would be required to arrange transportation facilities and had also made arrangements for the availability of school buildings to be used as polling stations. He said the administration needed an additional two months to make the necessary arrangements and that conditions generally improve after Jan 20.</p> <p>An ECP member pointed out that the provincial government had previously suggested holding elections in April.</p> <p>Responding to the observation, the chief secretary said the government had reconsidered its position and had no objection to holding elections in January or February. However, he maintained that April would be more suitable because of longer daylight hours and school holidays.</p> <p>He argued that shorter days and cold weather during winter could discourage voters from coming out to cast their ballots, while April would provide more favourable conditions.</p> <p>The commission observed that the ECP is under obligation in terms of Articles 140A and 219(d) of the Constitution, read with Section 219 of the Elections Act, 2017, to hold local government elections in the provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory and the Cantonment Boards.</p> <p>It also noted that it is the duty of the commission under Article 218(3) of the Constitution to organise and conduct the election and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law, and that corrupt practices are guarded against.</p> <p>Keeping in view the constitutional provisions and to provide a level playing field to the contesting candidates and voters of the constituencies, the request made by the chief secretary was accepted in the interest of justice.</p> <p>It was further decided that the first phase of local government elections in Punjab will be held with the polling date set as Feb 7, 2027.</p> <p>The office was directed to take follow-up action accordingly.</p> <p>The last local government elections in Punjab were held in 2015 under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2013. Polling took place in phases between Oct and Dec 2015, and elected councils assumed office in 2017 after indirect elections for mayors and chairpersons. Since then, local body polls in Punjab have experienced repeated delays.</p> <p>The PTI government had dissolved the elected local bodies in April 2019 before they completed their tenure. The move was later struck down by the Supreme Court, which restored them. They eventually completed their term on Dec 31, 2021.</p> <p>Successive provincial governments repeatedly amended or replaced the Punjab Local Government Act. Each legislative change required the ECP to restart preparations, including delimitation and election planning. <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2019739"><u>Changing laws and administrative delays</u></a> by successive governments contributed significantly to the postponement of the local body elections.</p> <p>Under Article 140A of the Constitution and the Elections Act, local government elections should be held within 120 days of the expiry of local bodies’ terms. Since the councils’ term ended in Dec 2021, elections were due by April 2022, but they have been repeatedly postponed.</p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.