The legislation in the proposed Local Government Act 2025, along with its key provisions, seeks to establish a new local government system across Punjab by devolving authority to the grassroots level and enabling the resolution of public issues within local communities.
Under the proposed framework, local government institutions will comprise Town Corporations, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees, Tehsil Councils and Union Councils.
Each UC will consist of 13 members, including nine general members (councillors) elected directly by the public and four members elected on reserved seats.
The reserved seats will include one woman, one farmer/labour representative, one youth representative and one non-Muslim representative.
A UC Chairman and Vice Chairman will be elected from within the council. General councillors and members elected on reserved seats will jointly elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman through a show-of-hands vote. The Chairman and Vice Chairman will contest as a joint ticket.
Under the proposed electoral system, all nine general councillors will be elected through direct secret balloting. Each UC will constitute a single multi-member ward, with every voter entitled to cast one vote.
The nine candidates securing the highest number of votes will be declared elected. Members on reserved seats will subsequently be elected by the general councillors through a show-of-hands procedure.
To contest for the office of councillor, a candidate must be registered on the electoral roll and be at least 21 years of age. Candidates for Chairman or Vice Chairman must be at least 25 years old, while candidates for the youth seat must be between 18 and 32 years of age.
The draft law disqualifies individuals convicted of corruption or offences involving moral turpitude, serving government employees, defaulters on bank loans, major defaulters of electricity, gas, water or tax payments, persons submitting false declarations and those holding dual political offices.
The proposed legislation grants extensive powers and responsibilities to Union Councils. These include approving local budgets, levying and collecting taxes, fees, fines and other charges, and maintaining records of births, deaths, marriages and divorces.
UCs will also be empowered to undertake small-scale 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 tiers of local government in sewerage, sanitation and waste management operations.
The councils will play a role in removing encroachments from public roads and communal spaces, promoting local sports, fairs and cultural events, and participating in relief activities during floods, earthquakes, epidemics and other emergencies.
