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ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday announced that the upcoming local government elections in Punjab will be held under the newly enacted Punjab Local Government Act 2025, leading to the cancellation of the previously scheduled December polls.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, where the ECP formally withdrew the delimitation schedule issued under the now-defunct 2022 Act. The move comes in response to a formal request from the Punjab government and aligns with the implementation of the updated legal framework.
The Commission directed the provincial government to finalize new delimitation and demarcation rules within four weeks, stressing that no further extensions would be granted.
During the meeting attended by ECP members, the Secretary, and senior officials, the Secretary briefed the Commission on the key provisions of the 2025 Act, which has been approved by the Governor of Punjab. The new law introduces significant changes to the structure of local governments, necessitating a fresh delimitation process.
The Special Secretary Law underscored that any electoral steps taken under the repealed 2022 Act would contravene Section 219 of the Elections Act 2017, which mandates that elections must be held in accordance with the prevailing local government laws.
With the 2025 Act now in force, all previous notifications related to delimitations under the 2022 framework stand withdrawn, paving the way for a new phase in Punjab’s local governance structure.