ECP Begins Consultations with KP Government for Local Government Elections in 23 Districts

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has formally initiated consultations with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to finalize the date for local government elections in 23 districts of the province. The decision was discussed during a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, attended by members of the Commission, the ECP Secretary, the KP Chief Secretary, the Secretary of Local Government, and other senior officials.

The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that holding local government elections is a constitutional obligation under Article 140-A of the Constitution and noted that, under the Elections Act, 2017, the ECP is required to conduct local government elections within 120 days of the expiry of local councils’ terms. Officials informed the meeting that the terms of local government institutions in the province expired on March 14 and June 19, 2026, while delimitation of constituencies in all 23 districts has already been completed, leaving the Commission fully prepared to conduct the polls.

The KP Chief Secretary stated that the provincial government had received the ECP’s consultation request on July 8 and had immediately forwarded a summary to the provincial cabinet. He assured the Commission that the provincial administration was ready to provide full administrative support for the elections. The meeting concluded with a decision to hold another round of consultations after 15 days to finalize the election schedule for the 23 districts.