ECP regrets repeated delays in Islamabad LG polls since 2021

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday regretted that despite having conducted delimitation five times and issuing the poll schedule three times, the local government elections could not be held in the Federal Capital since 2021.

According to the electoral body’s spokesperson, the Election Commission Secretary, Omar Hameed Khan, said this during a meeting held here regarding the non-conduct of the electoral process for the local government in Islamabad.

“If the government does not show seriousness about the local government elections in Islamabad, then the Election Commission will hold regular hearings and issue mandatory orders,” he made clear.

The meeting was chaired by the Secretary Election Commission and attended by the Special Secretary, Additional Secretary Home, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and Joint Secretary Home.

The ECP secretary emphasized that the Election Commission had ensured the successful holding of local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. However, he continued, that due to amendments in the Islamabad Local Government Act at different times, the Election Commission could not hold local elections in Islamabad, whereas the term of Islamabad local governments had ended on February 14, 2021.

So far, he pointed out, the Election Commission has conducted delimitation five times and has also issued election schedules three times. He complained thatwhenever the Election Commission completes preparations for holding elections, amendments are made to the local government laws.

He explained that amendments to the Islamabad Local Government Act were approved in August 2024, after which the Election Commission identified some errors, and rules and forms should be immediately prepared as per the amendments.

“The draft was sent by the Ministry of Interior to the Election Commission, and the Election Commission has also given its feedback and approved it. However, the legislative process has not been completed yet,” he regretted.

He made it clear that as the Election Commission has completed delimitation, therefore, the Ministry of Interior should ensure the immediate completion of the legislation so that the Election Commission can ensure the holding of elections in Islamabad.

Representatives of the Ministry of Interior informed the meeting that the necessary amendments to the proposed Islamabad Local Government Act 2025 have been submitted to the CCLC on April 30, 2025. After approval, it would be presented to the federal cabinet.

The Chief Commissioner assured that as soon as the said law receives parliamentary approval, they would be ready to cooperate with the Election Commission so that the process of holding local elections in Islamabad is ensured.