The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ordering the suspension of all election-related preparations and activities across the province until further notice.
According to the Election Commission, the decision follows an order issued by the federal government on November 4, 2026, which has affected the constitutional framework governing local government elections.
The ECP stated that the federal government issued Order No. 3 on November 4, 2026, under which Clause 2 suspended Article 140-A of the Constitution.
Article 140-A deals with the establishment of local government systems in the provinces and provides the constitutional basis for the devolution of political, administrative and financial powers to elected local representatives.
An Election Commission spokesperson said the suspension of Article 140-A had also been extended to all remaining districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The commission reviewed the implications of extending the suspension to other districts and assessed its impact on the ongoing local government election process.
Following the review, the ECP concluded that holding local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not possible under the federal government’s order.
Consequently, the commission directed that all arrangements, preparations and other measures related to the local government elections be halted until further instructions are issued.
The Election Commission maintained that the federal order had created constitutional and procedural obstacles to conducting the elections.
The postponement will remain in effect until further notice from the Election Commission.
