Islamabad, December 10,2025: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday rejected requests from the Balochistan chief minister and governor seeking a postponement of the upcoming local government elections in the province, ruling that the grounds presented were “not legally acceptable.”
In its decision, the Commission affirmed that polling would be held on December 28 as scheduled, stressing that fulfilling the constitutional obligation to conduct local government elections was essential despite prevailing circumstances.
The ECP noted that the delimitation process in Quetta had already been completed twice, objections had been addressed, and the Balochistan High Court had dismissed petitions challenging the delimitations. It said the Constitution does not permit the postponement of local government elections.
Referring to past rulings, the Commission added that the Supreme Court has held electoral matters to be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the ECP, and warned that any hurdles created by the provincial government would constitute a violation of the Constitution.
The decision has been communicated to the provincial government, the governor and all relevant institutions for implementation.
However, ECP member from Balochistan Shah Muhammad Jatoi recorded a dissenting note, arguing that harsh winter conditions lead to population migration and that the law-and-order situation in the province remains unsatisfactory, warranting a delay in the polls.
