NPC election chief explains delay in poll results

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 March 2026 |  JP Staff Report

The NPC election committee said the March 12, 2026, result announcement was delayed after committees and contesting panels agreed on changes to ballot papers and adopted a new counting method with fewer observers than in the past.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — The election committee of the National Press Club (NPC), Islamabad has issued a statement explaining the delay in announcing the results of the club’s March 12, 2026, elections, following criticism from members and contesting groups.

In a notification released Sunday, election committee chairman Nasir Zaidi said the delay occurred after the committee and contesting panels jointly decided to change the ballot papers and the vote-counting procedure for the polls.

New counting method slows results

According to the statement, the revised system required the election committee itself to conduct the vote counting, with two representatives from each rival group present as observers during the process. In previous NPC elections, around 20 representatives from each contesting group typically participated directly in counting, which allowed results to be announced within five to six hours.

The committee said the March 12 vote involved a significantly complex tallying process. A total of 2,180 votes were cast, while 26 candidates contested various key positions, including president and secretary. Because each vote had to be counted separately for every candidate, the process involved tallying a cumulative total of 56,680 votes.

Observers from the contesting groups also requested recounts during the process, which further extended the counting time and delayed the formal declaration of results, the committee added.

Further counting scheduled for the governing body

The election committee said counting for the NPC governing body seats was scheduled for March 15. These positions involve 39 candidates, and officials estimate that approximately 76,300 votes will need to be counted in total.

Zaidi urged club members to remain patient as the counting continues and to wait for the official announcement of results once the process is completed.

The NPC elections are closely watched within Pakistan’s media community because the club serves as one of the country’s most influential forums for journalists, hosting press conferences, media briefings, and professional gatherings in the federal capital.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Election processes within press clubs often reflect broader dynamics within Pakistan’s journalism community, including competition among journalist groups and debates over transparency. Delays in announcing results can affect trust among members and highlight the importance of clear procedures and communication in professional bodies representing journalists.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on an official statement issued March 15, 2026, by the National Press Club Islamabad election committee.