The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected the Punjab government's proposal to postpone the local government (LG) elections until April 2027, deciding to proceed with the polls and issue the election schedule immediately. The commission also decided to hold the LG elections in cantonments and directed its office to submit draft election programmes for both Punjab and the cantonments for approval without delay.

At a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP expressed dissatisfaction with the Punjab government's response to its proposed election schedule, which had fixed December 14 as polling day. The provincial government had proposed holding the elections in three phases in April 2027, citing dense fog and severe cold in December and the advent of Ramazan in February.

Rejecting the request, the commission observed that the consultative process with the provincial government under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act had concluded on August 20, 2026. During the consultations, Punjab had agreed to hold the elections between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

"The provincial government is now seeking to alter these previously agreed-upon dates. Keeping its constitutional and legal responsibilities in view, the Election Commission has decided to hold local government elections in Punjab and to issue an election schedule immediately," an ECP statement said.

The commission also expressed concern over the provincial government's failure to provide lists of officers for appointment as District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs). It directed the government to submit the lists within one week to ensure transparent and timely administrative preparations across all districts of the province.

The ECP also decided to proceed with LG elections in cantonments and directed its office to submit the proposed election programme for approval by the competent authorities. The ECP reiterated that it was fully committed to fulfilling its constitutional obligations to strengthen grassroots democracy through timely elections across all administrative tiers.