ECP rejects KP government's request to delay delimitation in 24 districts

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has turned down a request from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to postpone the delimitation process in 24 districts of the province ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

The KP government had sought a 180-day delay in the delimitation exercise. The province’s chief secretary had also written to the ECP, requesting a postponement of local body polls. The letter cited the provincial government's intention to amend the Local Government Act, 2013, as well as concerns related to bad weather and the law and order situation in certain districts. The chief secretary further stated that the ECP had not consulted the provincial government before starting the delimitation process.

Sources familiar with the matter said the ECP reviewed the contents of the letter and the reasons provided for the requested delay. After deliberation, the electoral body decided to reject the plea, emphasizing that it is obligated to carry out the delimitation and local government elections in accordance with its mandate.

The ECP’s decision means that the delimitation exercise in the 24 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will proceed as planned, despite the provincial government's request for a postponement. The commission did not provide details regarding any changes to the schedule or process following its decision.

There were no official comments from the KP government following the ECP's rejection of the plea, and it remains to be seen how the provincial authorities will respond to the electoral body's decision to continue with the delimitation exercise as originally scheduled.