The Election Commission of Pakistan has postponed the Punjab by-elections after devastating floods destroyed infrastructure and disrupted administrative work. Roads, bridges, railway lines, electric poles, and polling stations were badly damaged, making it impossible to hold elections. Rescue and relief operations have also tied up government employees who were assigned as polling staff.
Read more: Gujrat Flooded After Record 506mm Rainfall in 20 Hours
Polling was originally planned in four National Assembly constituencies including NA 66 Wazirabad, NA 96 Faisalabad, NA 129 Lahore and NA 143 Sahiwal, as well as four Provincial Assembly constituencies including PP 73 Sargodha, PP 87 Mianwali, PP 98 Faisalabad and PP 203 Sahiwal.
Both the Government of Punjab and District Returning Officers requested postponement, citing the unavailability of polling personnel and the ongoing emergency.
So far at least 46 people have lost their lives and more than 3.7 million residents have been affected by the floods. Nearly 1.8 million people have been evacuated after almost 3,900 villages went underwater. Authorities said they may breach the Chenab riverbank near Multan to prevent the historic city from flooding, even though this will push water into its outskirts.
Flood levels remain dangerously high with the Chenab recording 530,000 cusecs at Qadirabad and 500,000 cusecs at Chiniot, while the Ravi and Sutlej also continue to rise.
Read more: India Issues Fresh Flood Alert to Pakistan
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reviewed the situation in Multan, where pressure has built up at Shershah Bridge, leading to traffic suspension. The ECP said elections will only resume when conditions stabilize to ensure secure and fair voting.
