The Election Commission in Pakistan (ECP) has postponed by elections in several national and provincial assembly circles in Punjab due to unprecedented flooding that has severely damaged infrastructure and disturbed administrative functions throughout the province.
In an official review, the ECP quoted widespread destruction of roads, bridges, rail lines, electric poles and cellular towers along with damage to government buildings and schools referred to as polling places and storage sites for electoral material.
“The ongoing rescue and relief operations in flooded areas have stretched civil administration and law enforcement authorities to their borders,” the Commission said. “Voting staff, many of whom are government employees who are currently dealing with relief efforts, are not available to perform election tasks.”
Several District Returning Officers informed the Commission of the non -availability of the appointed election staff and requested the appointment of fresh staff from the nearby districts. However, the scale of the disaster has made it difficult to organize the election as planned.
The Punjab government also formally requested the postponement with reference to the “broken flood situation” and commitment to civil administration in rescue and relief operations as the main reasons behind the request.
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The ECP emphasized its constitutional obligation to hold elections under safe and reasonable conditions. The Commission held a meeting on September 4, 2025 to assess the situation, noted that making elections in the midst of such disturbances would “free voters” and undermine the safety and integrity of the vote.
Accordingly, the Commission decided to postpone the election of the National Assembly’s constituency NA-66 Wazirabad, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore and NA-143 Sahiwal, as well as in Provincial Assembly Distance PP-73 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98 Faisaliencies and PP-23 Sahiwal.
“The decision to postpone the election is in the public interest,” ECP said. “Voting resumes when the situation is stabilized to ensure that elections are made with optimal security and full electoral participation.”
At least 46 people have died, and more than 3.7 million affected as heavy monsoon rain and water releases from India aggravate floods in Punjab.
Nearly 1.8 million people have been evacuated in recent weeks after flooding water immersed nearly 3,900 villages.
Authorities said that to save the historic city of Multan from being flooded, they are considering violating Chenab Riverbank. It will allow water to be released on the outskirts of the city so that the levels of the river can come down.
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Flood levels in Chenab have reached 530,000 CUSCS on Qadirabad headworks and nearly 500,000 CUSSCS at Chiniot, with trimmu registration of 253,000 CUSSCS.
Ravi stood at 98,000 CUSERCS at SIPHON, while Sutlej reached 319,295 CUSCS at GS Wala and 169,032 Cussecs at Panjnad.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reviewed the situation at the head Muhammad Wala, identified as the next major challenge. The pressure also rises at the Shershah Bridge in Multan, where traffic has been suspended.
