PESHAWAR; The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government has decided to conduct fresh local body elections instead of extending the tenure of the current local bodies. However, the scheduling of these elections is reportedly linked to the timing of polls in other provinces.
According to media reports, the Local Council Association, which represents local body officials, has warned it will approach the courts if elections are not held on time.
Local body elections in KP were held in two phases: the first on December 19, 2021, followed by the formation of local governments on March 31, 2022. The second phase took place on June 22, 2022, covering the hilly regions. Consequently, the current local governments will dissolve on March 31, 2026, in the plains and in June 2026 in the hilly areas.
Representatives of local bodies have expressed concerns that during their tenure, development funds were not adequately released to them, and their powers remained unclear, prompting calls for an extension of their term.
However, KP Law Minister Aftab Alam stated that there is no proposal under consideration to extend the tenure of local governments. He also mentioned that if Punjab is prepared to hold its local body elections, KP is also ready to conduct its polls. He added that local body institutions in Punjab are currently non-functional.
Meanwhile, the Local Council Association has reiterated its intention to take legal action if the local body elections in KP are delayed beyond their due date.
