Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the Punjab government to frame new delimitation and demarcation rules within four weeks under the recently enacted Punjab Local Government Act 2025, warning that no further extension will be granted.

According to a detailed briefing by the ECP secretary, the Punjab Assembly has passed the new Local Government Act 2025, which has also received the governor's approval, thereby repealing the previous Local Government Act 2022. The secretary stated that all notifications and actions issued under the 2022 law, including those related to delimitations, now stand withdrawn.

The ECP has decided to conduct the upcoming local government elections in Punjab under the provisions of the new 2025 law. Briefing the commission, the secretary said that the new Act has completely restructured the framework of local governments in the province, necessitating the formulation of fresh rules and procedures.

He further cautioned that any administrative or legal steps taken under the repealed 2022 Act would be considered a violation of the Election Act. The special secretary (law) of the ECP also underscored that the provincial government must ensure timely preparation of the rules to prevent further delay in the conduct of local government elections.