Punjab local govt elections to begin on Feb 7 next year: ECP
- Electoral body announces to hold first phase of LG polls after considering Punjab govt requests
The Election Commission of Pakistan has set February 7, 2027, for the first phase of local government elections in Punjab, following discussions and requests from the provincial government regarding suitable dates.
- Reasons for Punjab's proposed election postponement.
- Provincial government's revised election date request.
- ECP's readiness for Islamabad local government polls.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled the first phase of local government elections in Punjab for February 7, 2027.
According to an ECP press release issued on Thursday, the decision was taken during a hearing on the conduct of local government elections in Punjab, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and attended by a four-member bench.
During the hearing, the Punjab chief secretary informed the commission that the provincial government had initially agreed to hold the 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, adverse weather conditions, Ramadan and the unavailability of schoolteachers during that period.
The provincial government has now requested that the elections be held in January or February 2027, arguing that weather conditions improve in February.
Taking the government’s request into consideration, the ECP decided to hold the first phase of local government elections in Punjab on February 7, next year.
The development comes days after the electoral body announced to have procured “all the material” required for LG polls in Islamabad — as the poll body proceeded ahead with its plan to hold these elections on the existing laws.
A statement issued by the ECP on Monday said that it was ready to hold the LG elections in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), and that relevant arrangements had been made to print the ballot papers for the said elections.
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