The federal government has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Rangers to provide security during the upcoming by-elections in Gujranwala and Sahiwal.
According to sources, security forces will be deployed in NA-77 Gujranwala and PP-203 Sahiwal from November 7 to November 9.
Why are the Army and Rangers being deployed?
The Election Commission of Pakistan had requested the deployment of security forces to ensure peaceful elections.
The Army and Rangers will assist the Election Commission with general security duties during the voting process.
Sources in the Ministry of Interior said Rangers will be deployed at the second tier, while Army personnel will serve at the third tier in Quick Response Force (QRF) mode.
When will the by-elections take place?
The by-elections in NA-77 Gujranwala and PP-203 Sahiwal are scheduled for November 8.
The deployment of security forces aims to maintain law and order and ensure a peaceful voting process.
EC postpones local government elections in KP
Previously, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had postponed local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It also ordered the suspension of all election-related preparations and activities across the province until further notice.
According to the ECP, the decision came after the federal government issued an order on November 4, 2026. The order affected the constitutional rules related to local government elections.
The ECP said the federal government issued Order No. 3, under which Clause 2 suspended Article 140-A of the Constitution.
Article 140-A provides the basis for setting up local government systems in the provinces. It also ensures that elected local representatives receive political, administrative and financial powers.
Islamabad LG Elections
ECP also issued the official schedule for local government elections in Islamabad, with polling set to take place on December 20.
According to the announced schedule, voting will be held from 8 AM to 4 PM without any break.
The ECP said nomination papers will be received from November 2 to 6, while their scrutiny will take place from November 9 to 13.
