Pakistan Election Commission Sets Punjab Polls, Halts KP Elections

The Election Commission of Pakistan scheduled the first phase of local government elections in Punjab for February 7, 2027. This decision followed a request from the Punjab government to move the polls past January 20 to avoid administrative disruptions caused by smog, dense fog, and limited daylight. Although the provincial government suggested April 2027 to align with school holidays, the commission selected the February date to maintain a level playing field for candidates.

Simultaneously, the commission indefinitely suspended all local government election preparations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This action follows Federal Government Order No. 3, issued on November 4, which suspended Article 140A of the Constitution.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja determined that the current constitutional framework, marked by emergency measures and governor's rule, makes it impossible to organize free and fair elections in the province. The commission has ordered the immediate cessation of all electoral activities in every district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with no new timeframe provided for restarting the process.