New LG Act ends ward system, reshapes Ucs

RAWALPINDI:

Under the newly approved Local Government Act 2025, the structure of Union Councils has been redefined, introducing major changes to the local governance framework.

According to the new act, each Union Council will now comprise 13 members in total. Of these, nine general councillors will be directly elected by the public through popular vote. The previous ward system has been abolished - meaning the entire Union Council will now be treated as a single ward.

The chairman and vice chairman will no longer be elected directly by the people; instead, they will be chosen through the votes of the nine elected general councillors.

There will be four reserved seats in every Union Council - one each for a woman, a youth representative (aged 18 to 32), a worker or farmer, and a non-Muslim member. If no voter or candidate is available for the minority seat, the total strength of the council will be reduced to 12, and the minority seat will remain vacant.

To become a Union Council chairman, a candidate must first be elected as a general councillor. Similarly, to contest for the chairmanship of a Tehsil Council, one must already hold the position of Union Council chairman - effectively requiring candidates to begin their political journey at the councillor level.