LG polls in ICT to be held on Sept 29

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday announced September 29 as the polling date for the local government elections in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The local government ceased to exist on February 15, 2021 and the electoral exercise for the local bodies could not be conducted since then due to various reasons.

An ECP notification says, “In exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Articles 140(A) and 219(d) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Section-219 of the Elections Act, 2017, Section-17(1) of the Islamabad Capital Territory, Local Government Act, 2015 read with Rule-11 of the Islamabad Capital Territory, Local Government (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2015 and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Election Commission of Pakistan hereby calls upon the voters of Islamabad Capital Territory to elect their representatives to the Union Councils (all categories of seats) and appoints the following dates for various activities of the election.

According to the schedule, the returning officer will display public notices for the local bodies elections and nomination papers can be submitted from August 16 to 20. Similarly, scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held from August 22 to August 26, whereas appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers will be filed from August 27 to 29.

The ECP says the date for withdrawal of nomination papers is September 5 and the same day, the revised list of candidates will be issued while the candidates will be allotted election symbols on September 6. According to the latest data released recently by the Election Commission, there are now 1,112,744 registered voters, who will be able to elect members of the local governments.

The Election Commission has also issued another notification with regard to the appointment of district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers. A ‘code of conduct’ has been issued as well.