ECP warns KP, Islamabad again over delays in local govt polls

ECP Sets Deadline for Local Government Polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has set July 1 as the deadline for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad authorities to submit pending maps and data needed for local government elections. The deadline follows a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja at the ECP Secretariat, where preparations for local government (LG) polls in the federal capital, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were reviewed.

The ECP expressed concern over the KP government's failure to provide the requisite maps and other data for 15 districts despite repeated requests. Invoking Article 220 of the Constitution, which binds executive authorities to assist the ECP, the commission ordered notices to be issued to the KP chief secretary and local government secretary. They have been directed to provide all required maps and data before July 1, when the case has been fixed for hearing. Notices for personal appearance have also been issued to both officers to explain the delay.

In the Islamabad case, the commission noted that the case regarding delimitation of town corporations and notification of the number of union councils (UCs) in each town corporation had been sent to the federal cabinet for approval, but neither the notifications nor the maps have been provided to the ECP so far. The commission fixed Islamabad's case for hearing on July 1 as well and ordered notices to the Islamabad chief commissioner and deputy commissioner.

Coverage Comparison

Multiple reports from Dawn covered different aspects of the ECP's actions. One report focused on the ECP setting the July 1 deadline and issuing notices, while another highlighted the start of formal consultations between the ECP and the KP government to finalise a date for elections in 23 districts. A third report noted the ECP's view that the federal government's non-assistance contributed to the delay in Islamabad's polls, and a fourth described the ECP's warning to both KP and federal authorities against delaying the elections.

These reports collectively present a timeline of events: the ECP initially set a deadline, later summoned officials for a hearing on July 7, and directed KP to submit pending delimitation notifications ahead of a next hearing on July 28. The reports also include statements from officials, such as the KP chief secretary briefing that a letter seeking consultations was received on July 8, 2026, and that the provincial administration was ready to assist the commission.

Key Claims

• The ECP has set July 1 as the deadline for KP and Islamabad authorities to submit pending maps and data needed for local government elections.
• The tenure of local governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ended on March 15 this year.
• The term of the last local government in Islamabad expired in February 2021, and around 2.5 million residents of Islamabad continue to face issues due to delayed elections.
• The ECP expressed concern over the KP government's failure to provide the requisite maps and other data for 15 districts despite repeated requests.
• Notices were issued to the KP chief secretary and local government secretary to explain the delay.
• The ECP has formally started consultations with the KP government to finalise the date for LG elections in 23 districts, where delimitation has been completed.
• The ECP is fully prepared to conduct elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• The ECP noted the non-assistance of the federal government as a reason for the delay in Islamabad's polls and summoned the Islamabad chief commissioner and deputy commissioner on July 7.
• The ECP warned the KP government and federal authorities against delaying elections and directed KP to submit all pending delimitation notifications ahead of the next hearing on July 28.

Quotes and Context

In the KP case, the KP chief secretary and LG secretary appeared before a four-member bench headed by Member Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani. The ECP recalled that on April 22 it had sought three documents for delimitation in 15 districts: tehsil-wise Neighbourhood Council (NC)/Village Council (VC) notifications, category-wise reserved seats, and authenticated maps. A reminder on May 15 drew an "unsatisfactory" reply. As of July 1, KP had provided NC/VC numbers and reserved seats for only seven districts: Khyber, Bajaur, Mansehra, Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, and others mentioned in the report.

In the Islamabad case, Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said the district administration had provided the maps required for the LG polls. However, the ECP said it was of the "considered view that the process of conduct of Local Government Election in ICT has been delayed on various accounts, including non-assistance of the federal government as mandated under the Constitution and law." The commission also noted that the DC had maintained that the matter was pending before the Prime Minister's Office, where the draft notification regarding the number of union councils had been sent for cabinet approval.

The ECP advised its secretary to approach the adviser to the prime minister to ensure the approval of the required notifications. It also directed ICT Chief Commissioner retired Lt Sohail Ashraf and DC Memon to appear in person at the next hearing at 10am on July 7.

During the consultation meeting with the KP government, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja emphasised that holding LG elections was a constitutional requirement under Article 140-A of the Constitution. He was quoted as saying, "Under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, 2017, the ECP is bound to hold local government elections within 120 days of the expiry of the term of local governments." The ECP informed the meeting that delimitation in the 23 districts had been completed and that it was "fully prepared" to conduct elections there. Under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act and Rule 15(1) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Councils (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2021, the ECP must consult the provincial government before announcing the election schedule.

The KP chief secretary briefed the commission that the ECP's letter seeking consultations was received on July 8, 2026, and a summary had been sent to the provincial cabinet immediately. "The provincial administration is ready to assist the commission and make arrangements for the polls," he said.