Tue, 21-Oct-2025

ECP decides to hold Punjab LG elections under new LG Act

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct local government elections in Punjab under the newly approved Local Government Act, instead of the 2022 version. According to sources, the elections will now be held in accordance with the new law recently passed by the Punjab Assembly. Under the new system, each Union … Read more

ECP issues schedule for by-elections in five constituencies

ECP

Lahore: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released a new schedule for the upcoming by-elections, announcing polling dates and key deadlines for five constituencies across Punjab. The spokesperson for the Punjab Election Commissioner has announced that, under the Election Act 2017, the schedule for Punjab’s by-elections has been released. By-elections will be held in … Read more

ECP postpones by-polls in nine Punjab constituencies due to floods

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to postpone by-elections in nine constituencies of Punjab following the recent devastating floods and a formal notification has been issued in this regard. According to the ECP order, the floods have severely disrupted the communication system, while large-scale damage to public and private infrastructure — particularly … Read more

ECP suspends by-polls schedule for NA-175

ECP

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended the by-election  schedule in NA-175 (Muzaffargarh-1)constituency  vacated by Jamshed Dasti. The development follows the ECP’s earlier decision declaring Jamshed Dasti disqualified after his academic credentials were found to be fake. As a result, his National Assembly seat was declared vacant. The ECP has not yet … Read more

ECP disqualifies Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and others PTI leaders after court convictions

ECP disqualifies Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and others PTI leaders after court convictions

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially disqualified several key members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including senior leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul. According to a notification issued by the ECP, the decision was made after these members were found guilty in different court cases. The disqualification was carried out … Read more

ECP announces schedule for LG by-polls in Sindh

ECP

KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule for by-elections on 52 vacant local government seats across Sindh. The LG elections will be conducted in Shikarpur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur, Naushahro Feroze, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Matiari, as well as Karachi West, Keamari, and Karachi East. The elections will be held on September 24, 2025. … Read more

Polling scheduled for Jamshaid Dasti’s NA-175 seat on Sept 10

Polling scheduled for Jamshaid Dasti’s NA-175 seat on Sept 10

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule for the upcoming by-election in the NA-175 Muzaffargarh-I constituency, set for polling on September 10. This seat became vacant following the disqualification of Jamshaid Dasti over a fake degree. Dasti had previously won this constituency in last year’s general elections with the support of … Read more

ECP disqualifies MNA Jamshed Dasti over fake documents

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Jamshed Dasti after declaring his academic degrees as fake. The ECP issued its reserved verdict on Dasti’s disqualification, accepting two petitions filed against him. The commission also approved a reference submitted by the Speaker of the National Assembly seeking his … Read more

Reserved seat winners cannot vote until oath-taking: ECP

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has written a letter to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that the Speaker of the KP Assembly has not convened a session for the oath-taking of newly notified members. The ECP has informed the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that members elected on … Read more

ECP reserves verdict in reserved seats allocation case

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reserved its verdict in the case concerning the allocation of reserved seats. A four-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case, during which legal representatives from both Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) presented their arguments. During the proceedings, the … Read more

Opposition needs 20 more for majority in KP Assembly

Opposition

PESHAWAR: The opposition alliance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is now just 20 members away from securing a simple majority in the provincial assembly. Following the Supreme Court’s verdict, the Election Commission of Pakistan(ECP) restored the reserved seats, raising the opposition’s strength to 53 members. Meanwhile, the ruling PTI holds 92 seats in the KP Assembly. Out … Read more

ECP implements SC ruling on reserved seats

ECP

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notification restoring reserved seats, following the Supreme Court’s decision. According to the ECP, members who had been de-notified earlier have now been reinstated, with notifications issued for 74 reserved seats across the assemblies. In the National Assembly, the ECP has notified: 12 women and 1 minority … Read more

PM writes letter to Omar Ayub for appointment of new CEC

PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has started the consultation process for the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members. In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally written a letter to Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan. Omar Ayub confirmed receipt of the letter, stating … Read more

ECP hints to summon PM, Punjab CM over failure to hold LG polls

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has indicated the possibility of summoning Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over the failure to hold local government elections in Islamabad and Punjab. During a hearing on the delay in Punjab’s local body elections, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja remarked that the … Read more

ECP establishes monitoring centre for PP-52 by-elections

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established Election Monitoring and Control Centre (EMCC) to ensure transparency and address public complaints during the upcoming PP-52 , Sialkot, provincial assembly by-elections on June 1. The center, set up at ECP headquarters, is tasked with monitoring the electoral process, offering voters a dedicated platform to voice … Read more

ECP give warning notice to government over Islamabad LG election delay

ECP give warning notice to government over Islamabad LG election delay

ISLAMABAD: The government faced a stern warning from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over its persistent delays in conducting local government (LG) elections in Islamabad. Secretary of the Election Commission chaired a high-level meeting on Islamabad’s LG elections and hinted at issuing binding directives if the government fails to act promptly. The ECP decided … Read more

ECP announces Senate by-poll schedule on Taj Haider’s seat

ECP

KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced to hold election for the general seat of the Senate of Pakistan, fallen vacant due to the death of late Senator Taj Haider. According to notification issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan, polling for election will be held on May 06, 2025 at Sindh Assembly … Read more

ECP adjourns hearing of PTI intra-party elections case

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) adjourned the hearing of the PTI intra-party elections case until April 8.

The case pertains to the legitimacy of PTI’s internal elections and their compliance with ECP regulations.

A three-member bench, headed by Member Sindh Nisar Durrani, heard the case, with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Akbar S. Babar, and others appearing before the commission.

ECP member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa raised questions about who is managing PTI’s internal affairs, noting that the media has repeatedly mentioned Salman Akram Raja, sparking concerns about his role in the party.

PTI’s intra-party elections have also faced criticism for alleged controversy and a lack of transparency, fueling debates over the party’s internal management.

Barrister Gohar stated that the party is currently managing its affairs under indoor management and emphasized that the issue would be resolved once the ECP provides the necessary certification.

In response, an ECP member urged PTI to vacate the stay order obtained from the high court, to which Barrister Gohar clarified that no stay order exists regarding the proceedings of this case.

An ECP member further remarked that the case is not a trial and that it is not feasible to reserve a decision while waiting for a judicial ruling.

The member also pointed out that the documents submitted by PTI are incomplete, raising questions about the adequacy of the evidence provided.

Akbar S. Babar, a founding member of PTI, emphasized that the matter is of significant public importance. He urged the commission to announce its decision immediately, stressing the need for a timely resolution.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Babar went further, calling PTI an illegal organization and demanding that its accounts be frozen.

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ECP announces Senate by-election schedule for Balochistan seat

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that the by-election for the vacant Senate seat from Balochistan will be held on March 8, 2025.

The ECP had appointed Provincial Election Commissioner of Balochistan, Farid Afridi, as the Returning Officer for the election.

Unveiling the schedule for the by-election to fill the vacant General Senate seat, vacated by Senator Muhammad Qasim’s resignation.

As per the released schedule, the ECP will issue a public notice today, February 17, while the collection of nomination papers is set for February 18 and 19.

The list of candidates is set to be published on February 20, and the scrutiny of nomination papers will be finalized by February 22.

Appeals concerning the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers will be heard on February 25 and resolved by February 27.

A revised list of candidates will be released on February 28, followed by a window for candidates to withdraw their nomination papers until March 1. Polling is set to take place on March 8.

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ECP registers Awan Pakistan Party

ECP

ISLAMABAD:  The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has registered Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s party ‘Awam Pakistan Party’.

The Election Commission has issued a notification for the registration of Awam Pakistan Party, according to which Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is the convener of Awam Pakistan.

In the notification of the ECP, it is stated that Miftah Ismail is the Secretary General of Awam Pakistan, while the Election Commission has also recognized the intra-party elections of Awam Pakistan.

It should be noted that the Awam Pakistan party had submitted the details of the intra-party elections on June 26. The number of political parties registered in the ECP has reached 168.

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PHC restrains ECP for taking action against KP CM Gandapur  

PHC

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court(PHC) suspended the November 20 notice sent by the Election Commission of Pakistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Justice S.M Attique Shah and Justice Faheem Wali of Peshawar High Court heard the petition of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur against the notice of the ECP.

The petitioner’s lawyer said that the Election Commission had issued a notice to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur regarding assets, earlier the ECP had issued a similar notice which was suspended by the court.

Justice S.M Attique Shah said that once the court suspended the notice, then how can the Election Commission send the notice again. The lawyer should have filed a contempt of court petition.

The petitioner’s counsel said that there is a difference between the old notice and the present notice.

The court suspended the notice issued by the Election Commission to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on November 20, restrained the ECP from taking action against the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and sought a reply from the commission.

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PHC orders ECP to resolve Senate election issue in KP

PHC

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to resolve the issue of Senate election soon.

Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed heard the petition related to holding Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The petitioner’s lawyer said that the ECP had sought time for the date of the election on the last hearing, on which the ECP’s lawyer said that the ECP had considered the matter to some extent, the Election Commission had held meetings related to the Senate election.

The Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court said that we give you two weeks’ time, on which the ECP’s lawyer said give more time, the Supreme Court may also take a decision.

The petitioner’s lawyer said that ECP will not conduct the election nor does he want to conduct it, on which Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed said that earlier he did not want to conduct it, now the Election Commission wants to conduct it.

The Election Commission lawyer said that ECP should be given more time and electoral body will try to resolve the matter.

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ECP asks lawmakers to submit asset details by December 31

ECP asks lawmakers to submit asset details by December 31

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed members of Parliament to submit their financial statements by Dec 31. The parliamentarians are required to disclose the financial details of their dependents and family members as well. Failure to comply will result in the suspension of their membership. ECP directs parliamentarians to submit annual financial statements … Read more

SC restores Adil Bazai as MNA

SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday annulled the Election Commission of Pakistan decision to de-seat member of National Assembly Adil Bazai.

MNA Adil Bazai’s appeal was heard by the bench headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.The ECP de-seated Adil Bazai from the National Assembly under 63A.

He was disqualified by the ECP on a plea of President PML-N on charges of floor crossing during the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Muhammad Adil Bazai owned elections as an independent candidate from the National Assembly constituency NA 262 Quetta 1 in general elections held on February 8, 2024, and joined Sunni Ittihad Counsel after taking oath as MNA.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, President, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) filed a reference in the ECP against Adil Bazai under Article 63-A on the basis of an affidavit that he belongs to PML-N and joined another party in the Parliament.

Adil Bazai contradicted the affidavit terming it fake but the ECP granted the plea of the PML-N president disqualifying Adil to be a member of the National Assembly. The decision of the ECP was, however, challenged by Adil Bazai in the Supreme Court.

A five-member bench of the SC, headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, heard the petition and declared Adil Bazai a legitimate member of the parliament. Detailed judgement of the case will be announced later.

The Court expressed displeasure over the conduct of the ECP in this particular case observing that there were two affidavits attributed to the petitioner.

The petitioner terms one affidavit fake and accepts the other as genuine. How does the ECP decide to accept the first one and reject the second.

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SC restores Adil Bazai’s National Assembly membership

SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision and restored Adil Bazai’s membership in the National Assembly.

A 3-member bench headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the petition of Adil Bazai, Justice Aqeel Abbasi and Justice Ayesha Malik were also part of the 3-member bench.

The Supreme Court also suspended the November 21 decision of the ECP to de-seat Adil Bazai.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the case till December 12 while restoring Adil Bazai’s membership in the National Assembly.

It should be remembered that the ECP had suspended Adil Bazai’s membership of the National Assembly on the request of Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz(PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif had written a letter to Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for deviating from the party policy in the National Assembly and sitting in the opposition benches for the 26th constitutional amendment.

Adil Bazai approached the Supreme Court against the decision of the Election Commission made on the request of the Speaker National Assembly.

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Senate Election: PHC gives last chance to ECP for submitting reply

PHC

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Thursday gave a last chance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit its response regarding the conduct of Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The court was hearing a petition filed by PTI leader Azam Swati, seeking the immediate holding of Senate elections in the province.

During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that 11 Senate seats from KP were currently lying vacant, leaving the province underrepresented in the upper house of the parliament.

Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim inquired about the ECP’s plan to decide the election schedule.

In response, the ECP’s Special Secretary requested more time, stating that a meeting on the matter was forthcoming, and assured the court that a detailed response would be provided.

Chief Justice Ibrahim emphasized the urgency, noting that KP was not fully represented in the Senate.

The ECP official clarified that half of the province’s seats remain vacant.

The court ordered the ECP to submit its response by December 24, warning that no further delay would be tolerated.

Later he adjourned the hearing until December 24.

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