Punjab Local Body Polls Likely in December’s Last Week, to be Held in 3 Phases

Further details have emerged regarding the schedule for local government elections in Punjab, with reports on Thursday suggesting the polls are likely to be held in the last week of December 2026.

Available information indicates the elections will be conducted in three phases. This follows the provincial government's previously stated intention to hold the polls in stages.

Punjab's Local Government Minister, Zeeshan Rafiq, reiterated the government's commitment, stating that elections will be held on whatever date is provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and that time is needed to arrange resources and security.

The consultative meeting in Islamabad included a four-member Punjab cabinet committee headed by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq. The committee also comprised Mines and Minerals Minister Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah, and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.

During the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja highlighted that holding local government elections is a constitutional requirement under Article 140-A. He also noted that under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, the ECP is bound to hold polls within 120 days of the expiry of local governments' terms.

The commission was also briefed that the delimitation process in Punjab has been completed. The Punjab committee informed the ECP that the chief minister is committed to holding the elections and had given the committee full authority for the consultation.