Islamabad: An important hearing regarding the delay in holding local government elections in Punjab and Islamabad was held at the headquarters of the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
During the hearing, conducted by a five-member bench, a detailed review was carried out regarding the delay in the conduct of local government elections, administrative preparations, and the progress of the delimitation process. During the proceedings, the Chief Secretary of Punjab, Secretary Local Government Punjab, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and the Chief Commissioner Islamabad appeared before the Election Commission and briefed it on the situation from their respective sides.
At the start of the hearing, the Chief Secretary Punjab informed the Election Commission that the provincial government is taking important administrative measures for holding the local government elections. He stated that the Government of Punjab has provided the Election Commission with the Local Government Delimitation Rules and the Demarcation Order. This demarcation order contains details regarding the boundaries and administrative structure of various local government institutions in the province, including the number of union councils in town corporations, municipal corporations, municipal committees, and tehsil councils.
The Chief Secretary further informed the Commission that the provincial government is also providing the required maps and other relevant data necessary to complete the delimitation process. According to him, the maps and data will be provided to the Election Commission by March 12, 2026. He also assured the Commission that the provincial government will soon issue the notification for the election rules required for the conduct of local government elections so that no legal or administrative obstacles remain at the start of the electoral process.
In this regard, the Election Commission issued clear instructions to its office that as soon as the provincial government provides the maps, the schedule for delimitation should be issued immediately. The Commission emphasized that the delimitation process is of fundamental importance for holding local government elections and that any further delay in this process will not be tolerated.
The Commission further directed that if the provincial government fails to provide the maps by the stipulated date of March 12, 2026, then from March 13, 2026, deputy commissioners will be summoned to the Election Commission on a daily basis division-wise. These deputy commissioners will be bound to provide the maps of their respective districts directly to the Election Commission so that the delimitation process is not delayed and the election schedule can be issued promptly.
During the hearing, the matter of local government elections in Islamabad was also discussed in detail. The Election Commission was informed that three official letters had been sent by the Commission to the Ministry of Interior in this regard, requesting important information related to the local government structure of Islamabad. These letters sought details regarding the demarcation of town corporations, the number of union councils in each town corporation, the provision of maps of town corporations, and necessary amendments in the relevant ordinance.
However, the Election Commission was informed that no response has yet been received from the Ministry of Interior regarding these three letters. The Commission expressed serious concern over this situation and stated that such delays create unnecessary obstacles in the electoral process.
During the hearing, the Chief Commissioner Islamabad informed the Commission that he had not received any such letter sent by the Election Commission. In response, the Commission sought further clarification and directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated.
The Ministry of Interior was represented at the hearing by the Additional Secretary Interior, while the Interior Secretary himself did not appear. The Additional Secretary informed the Election Commission that the Interior Secretary was attending an important meeting with the Prime Minister and therefore could not participate in the hearing.
The Election Commission expressed strong displeasure over the failure of the Interior Secretary to respond to the three official letters of the Commission and his absence from the hearing. The Commission ordered that a formal notice be issued to the Interior Secretary asking why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him.
The Commission further directed that at the next hearing the Federal Interior Minister should appear in person and provide a complete explanation regarding the progress and administrative measures related to the holding of local government elections in Islamabad.
On this occasion, the Chief Commissioner Islamabad assured the Commission that the maps of Islamabad’s town corporations would be provided to the Election Commission within one week. He stated that the district administration is rapidly completing the necessary work in this regard and that the preparation of the maps is in its final stages.
Taking the assurance of the Chief Commissioner Islamabad on record, the Election Commission granted a final deadline of March 12, 2026, for the submission of the maps. The Commission made it clear that any delay after the specified date will not be acceptable and that if the maps are not provided, the Commission will use its legal and administrative powers to take further action.
During the hearing, members of the Commission emphasized that local government elections are a fundamental component of the democratic system and that unnecessary delays in holding them affect the process of public representation. They stated that local government institutions play a very important role in resolving public issues and carrying out development work at the grassroots level, and therefore their elections must be held on time.
The Commission further stated that according to the Constitution and the law, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure the conduct of elections, and in this regard all relevant institutions and authorities must cooperate. If any institution shows non-cooperation or causes delay, the Commission will not hesitate to use its legal powers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Election Commission adjourned further hearing of the case until Tuesday, March 10. At the next hearing, updated progress reports will be sought from the Punjab government and the Islamabad administration, while the Ministry of Interior has also been directed to provide the required information and maps related to Islamabad’s local government structure in a timely manner.
According to the spokesperson of the Election Commission, the Commission is treating this matter with utmost seriousness and will ensure that all legal and administrative requirements for holding local government elections in Punjab and Islamabad are completed as soon as possible so that the public is not deprived of their right to representation at the local level.