ECP proposes holding Punjab local govt elections on Dec 14

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has proposed holding local government elections in Punjab on December 14, 2023, according to a letter obtained by Dawn. Additional Director General for Local Government Elections, Chaudhry Nadeem Qasim, forwarded the draft schedule to the Punjab Chief Secretary for consultation. The proposed timeline includes filing nomination papers from October 27 to 30, followed by scrutiny from November 2 to 5.

Appeals against acceptance or rejection of papers can be made between November 7 and 11, with decisions to be made by tribunals from November 12 to 16. The final list of candidates will be displayed on November 19, and election symbols will be allotted on November 20. Polling is scheduled for December 14, with returning officers to announce results by December 17.

The proposal was discussed during a consultative meeting held on August 20, where the ECP agreed to the provincial government's suggestion of holding polls between December 15 and January 15, 2027. The last local government elections in Punjab took place in 2015, with the current term expiring on December 31, 2021. Successive provincial governments have repeatedly amended or replaced the Punjab Local Government Act, contributing to the delays in scheduling elections.

Article 140A of the Constitution and the Elections Act require local government elections to be held within 120 days of the expiry of local bodies.