ECP begins Islamabad local polls preparations

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started the delimitation process for holding local government elections in Islamabad.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started the delimitation process for holding local government elections in Islamabad.

The commission said the formal process will begin on August 1, 2026, and will continue until October 13, 2026. The delimitation of constituencies is a major step before announcing the election schedule.

An ECP spokesperson said that after the completion of the delimitation process and publication of the final constituencies, the commission will consult the federal government regarding the date for Islamabad’s local government elections.

The spokesperson also shared updates about local government elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Punjab, delimitation authorities have been directed to submit their decisions to the relevant committees by August 7. The final delimitation list for the province will be published on August 17.

The ECP said it is fully prepared to conduct local government elections in Punjab after completing all necessary legal requirements and consultations.

Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the commission said delimitation has been completed in 23 districts, while work is continuing in seven more districts.

The spokesperson said the ECP held discussions with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and local government secretary on July 14 about the election schedule. Provincial authorities were given additional time after requesting support for completing arrangements.

The commission said recent amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act created legal issues that affected the delimitation process. The ECP informed the provincial government about these concerns and sought cooperation to resolve the matter.

The spokesperson said the commission has faced delays in local government elections because federal and provincial governments often change local government laws close to election dates.

He said the ECP has repeatedly completed delimitation exercises and prepared election schedules, but changes in legal frameworks affect the process.

The commission recommended that major changes to local government laws and boundaries should be completed at least one year before elections. It said this would help ensure a smooth and timely electoral process.