ECP Revises KP Constituencies Without Public Hearings

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stirred controversy by partially revising the descriptions of several national and provincial assembly constituencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without conducting the mandatory public hearings required by law.

This decision, announced through a notification, follows administrative changes in revenue units that occurred between April 2, 2024, and January 27, 2026.

The ECP justifies this move by citing Rule 15 of the Election Rules 2017, which allows for the re-description of constituencies in light of changes in administrative units, provided that the overall limits of the constituencies remain unchanged.

However, critics argue that bypassing public objections undermines the democratic process.

This development raises significant concerns regarding transparency and public participation in the electoral process. Citizens and political analysts fear that such unilateral decisions could lead to gerrymandering and affect the fairness of upcoming elections.

The lack of public hearings may disenfranchise voters who wish to voice their opinions on constituency boundaries.

Looking ahead, the ECP is expected to face scrutiny from political parties and civil society organizations, which may demand a review of the decision.

Observers are calling for a more inclusive approach to constituency re-description to ensure that the electoral process remains fair and representative.