The Balochistan CM’s request to delay the Quetta LG elections is denied by the ECP.

Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, requested that the Quetta local body elections be postponed, but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) denied his request.

The Quetta local body elections will go ahead as planned, with polling taking place on December 28, 2025, the ECP stated in a written order. To guarantee seamless election preparations, the panel underlined that the Balochistani government must work in tandem with the ECP and other pertinent agencies.

In order to protect voters, candidates, polling workers, and the public at large, the order also instructed the government and security agencies to create impenetrable plans.

However, Shah Muhammad, an Election Commission member, wrote a dissenting statement in which he expressed concerns about voter participation because of Quetta’s bitter cold in December.

He pointed out that in severe weather, a lot of locals go to neighbouring districts, which may have a negative impact on participation. Shah Muhammad also recommended that the votes in Quetta be delayed until the weather and security conditions improve, pointing out that the law and order situation in some areas of Balochistan could not be suitable for holding elections.

Despite these worries, the ECP insisted that all required steps, including the deployment of security, will be taken to guarantee that the elections are carried out in accordance with constitutional requirements in a fair and secure manner.

It has been confirmed that the Quetta local body elections will take place on December 28. This is an important stage in the local governance process in the province.

It’s also crucial to note that on October 10, the Balochistan High Court (BHC) ordered the commission to hold elections “as soon as possible” and rejected applications filed on the same grounds.