Rawalpindi revs up LB poll preps

Delimitation process likely to conclude by July 22

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Regional Election Commission, in collaboration with the district administration and the revenue department, has initiated preparations for the upcoming local body elections.

This includes the task of redrawing the boundaries of union councils across all six districts within the Rawalpindi division. These districts comprise Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Talagang.

The process of finalising the new delimitations is expected to conclude by July 22, with the proposed boundaries set to be published on July 23. This publication will open a window for citizens to submit their objections.

According to the district election commissioner, objections from citizens, voters, and political parties will be accepted from July 24 to August 7.

These objections must be resolved by August 22, and the finalised delimitations will be released on September 1.

Currently, the Rawalpindi City Municipal Corporation comprises 46 union councils, while the District Council includes a total of 120 union councils. It is anticipated that the number of urban union councils will increase following the new delimitations. Specifically, 24 major union councils that currently lie within the district council limits but are adjacent to the urban boundaries will be incorporated into the urban limits due to population growth.

This adjustment will result in an increase in the number of urban union councils to 70, while the number of rural district councils will decrease to 96.

Under the new delimitations, each union council will encompass a population ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 people. There is also the potential for increasing the number of urban union councils from three to five in proportion to the population.

Additionally, following the new delimitations, decisions will be made regarding reserved seats in the local bodies. The district election commission has already acquired comprehensive data on the urban and rural populations, as well as detailed population maps from the revenue department, to aid in the creation of the new constituencies.

These new boundaries are being delineated under the distinct districts of Murree and Talagang, which have been newly formed within the Rawalpindi Division.

As a result of Murree becoming a separate district, there will be a reduction in the number of village union councils within Rawalpindi district. This change will also lead to a decrease in the population, voters, and overall area of Rawalpindi district, thereby altering its district boundaries.

Officials said the ongoing efforts to adjust the boundaries of union councils aim to better represent the evolving demographics of the region, ensuring that the local body elections reflect the current population distribution.