Polling began for by-elections in local government positions across 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday (today). Polling started at 8am and would continue till 5pm without any interruption.

The districts participating in these by-elections include Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kolai Pals, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Lower Dir, and Bajaur, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The ECP added that the number of registered voters is 345,604, with 260 polling stations established across the province for the by-elections. Security cameras have also been installed at “highly sensitive” polling stations.

By-elections are taking place for 54 vacant seats in 53 village and neighborhood councils. In Peshawar, 13 candidates are contesting for by-elections in five village councils.

The ECP has deployed over 6,500 personnel throughout the province for the by-polls, with more than 800 officials assigned to security duties in Peshawar.

Meanwhile, the ECP in KP postponed by-elections in Bara due to security reasons. Elections were scheduled for the National Constituency and Village Council in Bara. Prior to this, the elections for the Chairmanship in Jamrud Tehsil were also postponed.

Last month, Peshawar Mayor Zubair Ali said that LG members are fighting for the rights of their communities, saying that “a robust LG system is vital for development and genuine democracy.”

He drew comparisons to Japan, where local representatives possess powers and governors have little influence over local matters. The mayor pointed out that Japan’s effective LG system allows grassroots representatives to deliver essential services directly to citizens.

Ali expressed concern that the provincial government has “intentionally weakened the LG system,” stripping elected members of their authority and hindering service delivery. Despite three out of four local government budgets being approved, he noted that LG representatives still lack a voice in local affairs.

He criticised amendments to the Local Government Act made after the elections, labelling them as a sign of government “dishonesty”.