The legislation in the proposed Local Government Act 2025, along with its key provisions, seeks to establish a new local governance system across Punjab by devolving authority to the grassroots level and enabling resolution of public issues in local communities. Under the proposed framework, local public institutions will include city corporations, municipal corporations, municipal committees, Tehsil councils and union councils. Each UC will consist of 13 members, including nine ordinary members (councillors) elected directly by the public and four members elected on reserved seats. The reserved seats will include one woman, one farmer/worker representative, one youth representative and one non-Muslim representative. A UC chairman and deputy chairman will be elected from within the council. General council members and members elected on reserved seats will jointly elect the chairman and deputy chairman by a show of hands. The President and Vice President compete as a joint ticket. Under the proposed electoral system, all nine members of the General Council will be elected by direct secret ballot. Each UC will constitute a single ward with several members, each voter having the right to cast one vote. The nine candidates who obtain the highest number of votes will be declared elected. Members on reserved seats will subsequently be elected by the senior council members by a show of hands. To stand for the post of councillor, a candidate must be on the electoral roll and be 21 years of age. Candidates for chairman or deputy chairman must be at least 25 years old, while candidates for the youth seat must be between 18 and 32 years old. The draft law disqualifies people convicted of corruption or offenses involving moral turpitude, serving government employees, defaulters on bank loans, major defaults on electricity, gas, water or tax payments, people making false statements and those holding dual political offices. The proposed legislation gives the EU Council extensive powers and responsibilities. These include approving local budgets, levying and collecting taxes, fees, fines and other charges and keeping records of births, deaths, marriages and divorces. UCs will also be empowered to undertake minor development projects, including the construction and maintenance of streets, drainage systems, water supply schemes and sanitation facilities. They will be responsible for the maintenance of hand pumps, wells, water tanks and other local water sources and will assist higher levels of local authorities in sanitation, sanitation and waste management. The councils will play a role in removing encroachments from public roads and common areas, promoting local sports, fairs and cultural events and participating in relief activities during floods, earthquakes, epidemics and other emergencies.
The LG bill promises greater decentralization
