Gilgit: The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan (ECGB) has postponed the ongoing schedule for the local government elections by seven days, after the government sought additional time to finalize proposed amendments to the Local Government Act 2014 and related legislation.
According to the Election Commission, all affected stages of the electoral process will be delayed accordingly for the seven-day period, with revised dates to be incorporated into an updated election schedule. Once the seven-day extension concludes, a new schedule will be issued that takes into account the government’s legislative amendments.
The Commission has directed all District Returning Officers, Returning Officers, and other relevant election officials to carry out upcoming electoral activities strictly in line with the revised schedule.
This is the second time that the scheduled date for the local government elections in Gilgit-Baltistan has been changed.
Also read: Local Government Elections in Gilgit-Baltistan to be held on August 2
The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan announced the local government elections on June 3, 2026, setting August 2 as the polling date. On June 15, the Chief Election Commissioner of Gilgit-Baltistan announced that the election schedule had been changed in view of Muharram-ul-Haram. Polling, which was originally scheduled for August 2 in the first phase, was rescheduled for September 27.
A new notification issued on July 13 stated that the deadline for voter registration, transfer of votes, and correction of electoral records had been extended to provide voters with additional facilities. The voter registration period was extended from July 15 to July 25.
On the same day, a meeting regarding the local government elections was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate. The Chief Minister said that ground realities had not been taken into account while preparing the rules for the local government elections and determining the wards. However, he maintained that the provincial government would not allow any delay in holding the elections.
He further said that, after consultation with political parties, necessary amendments would be made to the relevant laws to allow independent candidates to contest the elections. Under the initial notification, independent candidates had not been allowed to participate in the elections.
On August 6, following a cabinet meeting, provincial ministers told the media that the Local Government Act had been amended and that independent candidates would now be able to contest the local government elections.
On August 7, the Gilgit-Baltistan government formed a five-member committee to review the Local Government Act 2014. Minister Zulfiqar Ali Murad was appointed chairman, while Syed Jalal Ali Shah, Dr. Asad Shafiq, Muhammad Naseem, and Iqbal Hassan were named as members. The committee will review not only the Act but also the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 and relevant local government laws in other provinces.
Now, according to a new notification issued on August 13, the local government election programme has been postponed for seven days after the Gilgit-Baltistan government requested additional time. The government wants to complete the proposed amendments to the Local Government Act 2014 and finalize the necessary legislation.