The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government has approved the Local Government Bill 2025, paving the way for a new system of local governance in the province. The bill, which will now be presented for approval in the full assembly, is part of the government’s plan to hold local body elections by the end of this year.
Under the new bill, Punjab will implement a fresh local government structure, including a new process for delimitation of constituencies. The district administration will assist the Election Commission in carrying out these delimitations to ensure a fair electoral process.
A significant reform introduced by the bill is the abolition of the ward system within Union Councils. Instead, each Union Council will now elect nine members. Once elected, these members will have one month to affiliate themselves with a political party. The nine members will also be responsible for choosing their own chairman and vice chairman from among themselves. Additionally, the new system will allow these elected members to allocate reserved seats within the Union Councils.
Officials have expressed confidence that the revamped system will streamline the election process and make local governments more representative and efficient across Punjab.
