Civil society urges Punjab to fix date for delayed local council polls

Civil society organisations in Lahore have asked the Punjab government and the Election Commission of Pakistan to fix a date for local government elections, saying nearly five years without elected councils has left residents outside the decisions that affect them most.

The demand came at an emergency meeting of the Coalition for the Restoration of Elected Local Government System in Punjab and the board of directors of Baidarie, according to a report in Minute Mirror. Punjab has had no elected local councils since December 2021, when the terms of the previous local governments expired.

Arshad Mirza told the meeting that timely elections were needed for democratic continuity, and that local institutions with real powers settle community problems faster because decisions sit closer to residents. He said constitutional and legal safeguards should stop the system from being suspended each time the provincial government changes.

The meeting was held against a disputed schedule. The ECP has rejected the Punjab government's proposal to delay the polls until April 2027. The provincial administration had suggested polling on 4, 11 and 18 April, citing winter fog and logistical difficulty during Ramadan. Minute Mirror reported that hopes for progress emerged after the commission shared a phased draft election schedule with the provincial administration on 2 October 2026.

Salam Abid called for constitutional and legal protection so local governments can serve their full term without interruption. Hina Noureen said consensus-based rules were needed for forming councils, dividing administrative powers and handing authority to newly elected representatives, and that a clear framework would improve coordination between the province and the districts.

Um-e-Laila Azhar pressed for meaningful devolution, stronger representation for women and dedicated budget allocations to implement laws protecting women's rights. She said inclusive local governance would give women a stronger voice in decisions affecting their communities.

Muhammad Tehseen asked for transparent elections and for legislation fixing a deadline, proposing that polls be held within 90 days of a provincial election or the formation of a provincial government. He urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to support reforms aimed at strengthening local democracy and public services.

Irfan Mufti asked the provincial government and the ECP to coordinate closely and finalise the schedule without further delay.

Participants said they hoped constructive engagement between the stakeholders would resolve the outstanding issues and restore elected local governments.