Overview

• The Punjab Assembly approved the new law during a chaotic session as opposition members tore up copies of the bill and accused the treasury of bulldozing debate.
• Before the overhaul, the Election Commission of Pakistan had begun delimitations under the 2022 law with preliminary maps due by October 31, public display on November 1, objections through November 16, and final publication on December 8.
• The government must now issue a gazette notification and rules for the 2025 act, after which the ECP will decide whether to continue under the old framework or restart the entire delimitation process.
• Opposition lawmakers filed 37 amendments and argued the law violates Article 140 by centralizing power, citing provisions such as a single vote for voters, frequent rotation of leadership posts, potential non-party first-phase polls, and expanded provincial control over local bodies.
• Analysts note this marks roughly the fourth time in a decade that legislative resets in Punjab have derailed local government elections, prolonging the absence of elected local bodies.