Punjab government approves Rs12.52 billion for local government elections, raising hopes that polling could be held across the province by November 2026.
The Punjab government has approved Rs12.52 billion for local government elections, raising hopes that elected councils could finally return to the province after an 11-year gap.
The decision was taken at the 36th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The substantial allocation is being viewed as a key administrative step toward restarting the long-delayed local electoral process.
Punjab last conducted local government elections in 2015 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Polling was held in phases between October and December that year, while the elected local councils formally assumed office in 2017 after indirect elections for mayors and chairpersons.
The system was later disrupted. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government dissolved the elected local bodies in April 2019 before the completion of their scheduled term. Although the Supreme Court ordered their restoration, the councils ultimately completed their tenure on Dec. 31, 2021.
Under Article 140A of the Constitution and the Elections Act, local government elections are required within 120 days after the expiry of local councils. Punjab’s next polls were therefore due in April 2022. However, changes to local government laws under successive administrations resulted in repeated delays and forced the Election Commission of Pakistan to restart parts of the electoral preparations.
Local Polls Could Be Held by November
The latest funding decision has renewed expectations that Punjab could hold local government elections later this year.
PILDAT President Ahmad Bilal Mehboob welcomed the allocation, saying it indicated that the electoral process could move forward. According to Mehboob, the Election Commission of Pakistan has completed demarcation and delimitation and addressed objections, potentially allowing it to announce an election schedule after Aug. 17.
He said that, in the absence of an unexpected development, local government elections could be held in Punjab by November 2026.
The elections could also carry broader political significance. Mehboob said the creation of new provinces remained a complicated issue, but stronger grassroots representation through elected local councils could help ease some pressure for administrative restructuring.
For residents across Punjab, however, the central issue is whether the latest financial commitment will finally lead to polling, elected councils and a functioning local government system.
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