The Punjab government has assured the Lahore High Court (LHC) that local government (LG) elections in the province will be conducted on a party basis. Government officials confirmed that political parties will issue tickets to candidates. This assurance came during a hearing on petitions challenging the Punjab Local Government Act 2025.
Justice Sultan Tanveer Ahmed heard the case, which involves several petitions questioning the structure of the new local government law. The issue of party-based elections stood at the center of the proceedings.
Government Clarifies Position on Party-Based Polls
The assistant advocate general of Punjab appeared before the court and clearly stated the government’s position. He told the bench that the local government department had already submitted a detailed report to the LHC. The report confirms that LG polls will take place on a party basis.
The official stressed that the government aims to ensure transparency and democratic participation at the grassroots level. He said party symbols and tickets would form part of the election process. This statement addressed concerns raised by petitioners regarding the nature of upcoming elections.
During the hearing, the lawyer representing petitioner Sheikh Imtiaz requested the court to place the assistant advocate general’s statement on record. He argued that a formal record would prevent confusion later. The court took note of the request as part of the ongoing proceedings.
ECP Highlights Delays and Legal Constraints
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also presented its stance before the court. ECP Law Director General Khurram Shahzad represented the commission. He told the court that the ECP must operate under the law passed by the provincial government.
Shahzad revealed that the ECP had sent nearly 80 letters to the Punjab government over the past four years. These letters urged authorities to hold local government elections without further delay. He said repeated postponements had affected the local governance system.
He also informed the court that the Punjab government had given January 10 as the deadline to complete election arrangements. The ECP, he added, stands ready to fulfill its constitutional duty once the legal framework is finalized. “We conduct elections under the law provided to us,” Shahzad told the court.
Background of the Legal Challenge
The case links closely to the ECP’s October decision to hold LG elections under the Punjab Local Government Act 2025. Petitioners argued that earlier amendments to the Punjab Local Government Act 2017 allowed elections on a non-party basis. They claimed this approach weakened democratic norms and reduced political accountability.
According to the petitioners, party-based elections strengthen voter awareness and improve governance. They believe local representatives should align with political parties to ensure clearer policy direction.
The government’s assurance has eased some of these concerns. Legal experts see the statement as a positive step toward resolving the long-standing LG election issue in Punjab. Political observers also view party-based polls as crucial for restoring grassroots democracy.
After hearing arguments from all sides, the court adjourned the case until Tuesday. The next hearing may further clarify the legal framework and timeline for the long-delayed local government elections.
