The Punjab government has decided to carry out new delimitations for the local bodies’ elections with the approval for the new local government law by the provincial assembly expected to be given in the ongoing week.
The number of local bodies in Punjab will increase to 258 after the passage of the new law, while the cantonment boards across the province will remain the same.
Collectively, there will be 11 metropolitan corporations, 15 municipal corporations, 133 municipal committees, 64 town committees, and 35 district councils. A neighbourhood council (Union Council) will encompass a population of 20,000, while village councils will comprise a population of 10,000-15,000.
The new system will not only increase the number of neighbourhood and village councils but also feature a five-member panchayat council. The panchayat council will be represented by all castes of a village, while its members will be nominated by the chairman of the village council.
The panchayat council will be authorised to levy minor taxes and oversee civic affairs such as cleanliness, sanitation, street lights, improvement in local schools, and settlement of minor disputes.
The incumbent local bodies will stay in office until December 31, while the system will dissolve on January 1, 2022, and representatives of these local bodies will be relieved of duty.
Elections for neighbourhood and village councils will be non-partisan while elections for the lord mayor, mayor, and chairman will be held on political grounds and through a voting system.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2021.
1732012115-0/Untitled-design-(14)1732012115-0-270x192.webp "contractors to take over sanitation")
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ