KP Bar Council announces schedule for upcoming elections

ABBOTTABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has announced the schedule for its upcoming elections to elect provincial bar council members for the 2026-2030 term with polling set to take place on November 1, 2025.

The official notification was issued by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel, who is Returning Officer for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council Election 2025.

According to notification for the election of 28 members of the provincial bar council, lists of voters were published on September 15, while nomination papers along with a non-refundable fee can be submitted from September 19 to 25.

Scrutiny of proposals will be conducted between September 25 and 30, covering different groups of districts. The final list of candidates will be published on October 6.Polling is scheduled for November 1 (Saturday), from 9am to 4pm at designated polling stations. Votes will be counted the same day by polling officers, while the returning officer will conduct the final counting on November 4 at the Bar Council Office in Peshawar. The final results will be announced on November 21.

For the first time, the election process will be conducted through biometric verification in collaboration with Nadra.Advocates have been directed to obtain smart CNICs and complete biometric verification before polling day. Without a smart CNIC and biometric clearance, no lawyer will be allowed to cast a vote.

The candidates have been directed to submit a non-refundable fee along with their nomination papers.The increase in the fee is likely to limit participation, potentially discouraging even candidates with strong credentials and established standing.

Meanwhile, more than 20 candidates from Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur have been lobbying for the candidacy of five seats from Hazara division including two each seats from Abbottabad and Mansehra and one seat for Haripur.