Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducted elections for 2,640 vacant seats across various legislative bodies and local governments throughout 2025. However, elections for local governments in Punjab and the federal capital remained unfulfilled.

The electoral activities included by-elections and periodic polls, demonstrating that elections are not limited to a five-year cycle. The ECP’s notifications revealed that these elections covered vacancies in the Senate, National and Provincial Assemblies, and numerous local government seats in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.

The year’s electoral activities began on January 5, with polling at 15 stations in PB-45 Quetta-VIII, concluding on December 28 with local government polls in Quetta. These final elections had been delayed since 2022 due to issues with delimitation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the most local government polls, with contests for 1,028 seats. Balochistan followed, holding by-elections for 901 seats and concluding Quetta’s pending elections. Sindh conducted by-elections for 672 seats, including many reserved for non-Muslims, transgenders, women, and youth.

In addition to local government elections, the ECP held by-elections for eight general and two women-reserved National Assembly seats. These were necessary due to vacancies from deaths, disqualifications, and exhausted party lists. The affected constituencies included areas like NA-213 Umerkot and NA-66 Wazirabad.

Provincial Assembly elections filled nine seats, with eight in Punjab and one in Sindh. Senate elections included 11 seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, postponed since 2024, and seven by-elections across Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab due to resignations and other vacancies.

The electoral year highlighted the ongoing political dynamics within Pakistan, even as some regions continue to await their turn at the polls.