LAHORE: The Punjab government is amending the Local Government Act 2013 to provide for the party-based elections in the province, say sources.

According to the sources on Wednesday, the decision to hold party-based local elections in Punjab had been taken in view of the PMLN`s success in the recent cantonment boards poll.

Another factor, they said, was the lowest-ever popularity of the PPP inthe province and what the ruling party believes a lesser threat from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

They said the law would be amended through an ordinance which was being worked out.

As per another major decision, the sources said, elections to reserved seats in union councils would be held indirectly. The direct election would be held on general seats. Those elected against the six seats and the chairmen and the vice-chairmen would elect one each peasant, youth, minority member and two women from each union council.The earlier proposal to make a union council as the single constituency for general members had been dropped after objection by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in view of the Punjab government`s decision to hold party based local elections.

Sources said the ECP had earlier submitted in the Supreme Court that it was feasible for it to hold local elections in Punjab in phases in view of the disturbance noticed during such polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

`We have no such direction as yet, an official said.