DERA GHAZI KHAN: Preparations have begun in the district as the Punjab government has already decided to hold local government elections across the province during December and January.
A meeting regarding arrangements for the local body elections was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Ahmad Raza Butt. The session was attended by representatives of the Election Commission of Pakistan and officers from various departments.
During the briefing, it was informed that the polling scheme used in the general elections of 2024 would serve as the basis for the proposed local government elections.
To complete the electoral process, a significant number of presiding officers, polling officers, and other support staff would be required. Officials calculated that a total workforce of 7,011 individuals would need to be drawn from various government institutions to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
Addressing the heads of all relevant departments, ADC Raza Butt directed them to submit details of the required staff in writing to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office within two days, so that the timely availability of election personnel could be ensured.
The meeting also issued orders for a fresh inspection of all proposed polling stations. During these inspections, the availability of essential facilities such as drinking water, electricity, adequate rooms, washrooms, and other necessary amenities would be thoroughly reviewed. The Department of Education was assigned special responsibilities in this regard.
OMBUDSMAN: A ceremony was held at the Regional Ombudsman Office to mark 30 years of the establishment of Ombudsman Punjab office in the district.
Punjab Ombudsman Ayesha Hamid, addressing the ceremony, said the ombudsman Punjab has completed a remarkable journey of providing swift and impartial justice to citizens over the past three decades. She highlighted that the institution now has offices in all districts, bringing justice closer to people’s doorsteps.
Ayesha Hamid revealed that during the past year alone, the institution heard over 73,000 complaints.
Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026
