In a detailed response, the ECP emphasized that it is constitutionally and legally bound under the Constitution and the Elections Act to conduct delimitation and hold local government elections. The commission stated that provincial government consultation is not mandatory for delimitation processes.
The K-P Chief Secretary had formally sought the extension to allow time for necessary amendments to the Local Government Act and related rules. The provincial administration argued that the additional period was essential to align legal frameworks with the electoral exercise.
However, the ECP dismissed the plea, noting that it had repeatedly urged the provincial government since 2024 to make any required changes to local government laws in a timely manner. The commission reiterated that delays in legislative amendments cannot justify postponing its mandated responsibilities.
This decision clears the path for the delimitation process to proceed uninterrupted in the 24 districts concerned. The ECP had earlier initiated delimitation activities in these areas as part of preparations for fresh local government elections, following the existing Local Government Act 2013 and Rules 2021.
The ruling underscores the ECP’s independence in electoral matters and its commitment to adhering strictly to constitutional timelines, even amid provincial requests for adjustments. Political observers see the move as reinforcing the commission’s authority to prevent indefinite delays in grassroots-level democratic exercises.
The development comes at a time when local bodies in the province are functioning under transitional arrangements, and timely elections are seen as crucial for effective devolution of power at the grassroots level.