The legislation contained in the proposed Local Government Act, 2025, along with its key provisions, seeks to establish a new system of local government across Punjab by delegating authority to the grassroots level and enabling resolution of public issues within local communities. Under the proposed framework, local government institutions will comprise municipal corporations, municipal corporations, municipal committees, Tehsil councils and union councils. Each UC will be composed of 13 members, including nine general members (councillors) elected directly by the public and four members elected in reserved seats. The reserved seats will include a woman, a farmer/worker representative, a youth representative and a non-Muslim representative. A UC president and vice president will be elected from within the council. The general councilors and members elected in reserved seats will jointly elect the President and Vice-President by a show of hands. The President and Vice President will compete as a joint ticket. Under the proposed electoral system, the nine general councilors will be elected by direct secret ballot. Each UC will constitute a single multi-member district, and each voter will have the right to cast one vote. The nine candidates who obtain the greatest number of votes will be declared elected. The members of the reserved seats will be subsequently elected by the general councilors through a show of hands procedure. To run for the position of councilor, the candidate must be registered on the electoral roll and be at least 21 years of age. Candidates for President or Vice President must be at least 25 years old, while candidates for the youth position must be between 18 and 32 years old. The bill disqualifies people convicted of corruption or crimes involving moral turpitude, public employees, defaulters in the payment of bank loans, large defaulters in the payment of electricity, gas, water or taxes, people who submit false declarations and those who hold dual political positions. The proposed legislation gives broad powers and responsibilities to union councils. These include approving local budgets, imposing and collecting taxes, fees, fines and other charges, and maintaining records of births, deaths, marriages and divorces. The UCs will also be empowered to undertake small-scale development projects, including the construction and maintenance of streets, drainage systems, water supply systems 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 government in sewage, sanitation and waste management operations. The councils will play a role in removing encroachments from public roads and communal spaces, promote local sports, fairs and cultural events and participate in relief activities during floods, earthquakes, epidemics and other emergencies.
LG bill promises higher returns
