ECP releases new schedule for by-elections in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan has released a new schedule for by-elections in Punjab on Monday.

Spokesperson Election Commissioner Punjab says that the schedule for Punjab by-elections has been released under the Election Act 2017.

By-elections will be held in 5 constituencies of Faisalabad and Sahiwal. Polling will be held in NA-96, NA-104, NA-143, PP-98, and PP-203.

According to the spokesperson of the Election Commissioner of Punjab, the last date for appeals against the decisions of the Returning Officers is October 24.

The Appellate Tribunal will decide the appeals by October 31. The revised list of candidates will be published on November 1.

The spokesperson has said that the last date for withdrawal of candidates has been fixed as November 3, while the date for allotment of election symbols will be fixed as November 4. Polling in the by-elections will be held on November 23, 2025.

Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that the local body elections in the province will be held in the last week of December 2025, while giving its decision on the long-delayed local body elections in Punjab.

A five-member commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja issued a reserved decision after completing the hearing.

The decision states that the local body elections in Punjab will be held under the Local Bodies Act, 2002.

The Election Commission has ordered the provincial government to complete the delimitation of constituencies within two months.

The Election Commission’s decision also states that ‘work has been started immediately on the delimitation of local bodies so that the elections can be held on time.’

The Secretary Election Commission informed the meeting that amendments have been made to the local government laws in Punjab 5 times so far, while the Election Commission has completed the delimitation of constituencies 3 times.

According to the Election Commission, the institution has repeatedly sent letters to the provincial government and several meetings have also been held, but due to the lack of legislation, the elections were delayed.

According to the decision, the local government elections in Punjab will now be held in the last week of December 2025 in any case so that the local government system can be reactivated in the province.