Overview
- The Election Commission of Pakistan has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division to amend Section 219(1) of the Elections Act, 2017.
- The proposal would require the commission to hold local government elections at the expiry of a term or upon dissolution of local bodies.
- The letter cites Article 140-A of the Constitution and Article 219(d) as the basis for the commission’s obligation to conduct local polls.
- The commission says successive governments have not shown readiness to hold local elections, creating obstacles to timely contests.
- Local government is described as a foundational tier of democracy that delivers services at the grassroots, with the amendment now pending government consideration.