Fact-check: ECP rejects claim of mandatory FA, BA qualifications for Punjab local polls

In the run-up to local government elections in Punjab, scheduled to be held in December, posts circulating online claim that candidates contesting for councillor must have at least an FA qualification and a character certificate, while those contesting for union council chairperson must have a bachelor’s degree and a character certificate.

The claim is false.

Claim

On August 23, a Facebook user shared a post claiming that candidates contesting the upcoming local government elections in Punjab must have at least an FA qualification and a character certificate to contest as councillors.

It also claimed that candidates contesting for union council chairperson must have a BA qualification and a character certificate.

The graphic carried the logo of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), giving the impression that the requirements had been announced by the election body.

At the time of writing, the post had been reshared 429 times.

The post was also shared on other social media platforms with similar claims.

Fact

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected the claim that FA or BA qualifications and character certificates are mandatory for candidates contesting local government elections in Punjab.

Huda Ali Gohar, the ECP’s spokesperson in Punjab, told Geo Fact Check via messages that the graphic circulating online was not issued by the Commission.

“No such graphic has been issued by the ECP, and it is undoubtedly fake,” Gohar said in a written response.

Gohar later shared an ECP press release issued on August 28 addressing the same claim.

The press release said a notification was circulating on social media claiming that a BA qualification for union council chairpersons, an FA qualification for councillors and character certificates had been made mandatory.

The ECP clarified that the information was incorrect.

Geo Fact Check also checked the claim against Punjab’s local government law and election rules.

Section 67 of the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 sets out the qualifications and disqualifications for candidates. Among other requirements, candidates must be registered on the relevant electoral roll and meet the minimum age requirement.

The section does not require candidates for local government membership to have an FA qualification or candidates for heads of local governments to have a BA qualification.

The Punjab Local Government (Election) Rules 2026, which set out procedures for nominations and elections, also do not list FA or BA qualifications or character certificates as mandatory eligibility requirements for candidates.

Verdict: The ECP says it did not issue the viral graphic, and Punjab’s local government law and election rules do not make FA or BA qualifications or character certificates mandatory for candidates.

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