ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday dismissed Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti's plea seeking the postponement of local government elections in the provincial capital.
Bugti submitted the petition on Monday, citing worsening law and order and the suspension of internet services in the provincial capital as grounds for delaying the polls.
The election body rejected the plea, stating that the elections would take place as scheduled.
In its written order today, the Election Commission stated that polling in Quetta district will take place on December 28, 2025, saying that all institutions must assist in accordance with the Constitution.
“Every possible support must be extended to the bodies assigned the responsibility of conducting elections in Quetta,” the ECP said. It also directed that foolproof security arrangements be made to ensure the safety of voters, candidates, the public, and polling staff.
“Peaceful polling in Quetta must be ensured without interruption,” the ECP order read.
However, ECP member Shah Muhammad noted in a dissenting note that harsh winter conditions could reduce voter turnout. He highlighted that people often migrate to other districts during the winter season.
The development comes a day after the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that local government elections in Islamabad will be held on 15 February 2026.
Returning officers will issue public notices for nomination papers on December 19, 2025, while candidates can submit their nomination papers between December 22 and 27, 2025, the ECP said.
The statement further read that the scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place from 30th December 2025 to 3rd January 2026.
The commission added that appeals against the scrutiny can be filed from January 5 to 8, 2026, and election tribunals will hear and dispose of these appeals between January 9-13, 2026.
Candidates can withdraw their nomination papers until January 15 2026, while the final list of candidates will be displayed on January 16 2026, it added.
