Govt approves Rs18.5 billion for local govt elections, releases only Rs2 billion despite ECP demand

According to Profit, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet signed off on roughly Rs18.5 billion for local government polls and related work, yet cleared only Rs2 billion for immediate release. The move came despite the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) pressing for the entire allocation to be disbursed at once. Ahead of the December polls in Punjab, the commission had said it needed about Rs12 billion there.

Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the committee weighed two proposals from the commission. It cleared Rs596.2 million for by-elections in Sindh and Balochistan and delimitation work in Punjab, while the Rs17.8 billion request for election materials received only the Rs2 billion grant. The ECP has indicated that another Rs4 billion will be required next week, and the chairman opted for instalments.

The arrangement has prompted questions about the ECP's financial autonomy, since the Constitution limits the federal government's power to cut the commission's funding demands. Finance Ministry officials, however, insist the allocation was not reduced and that the phased release will not hinder spending. The timing of later disbursements will matter as the commission proceeds with procurement for polls in several provinces and territories.