ECP Takes Key Decision on Islamabad Local Govt Elections

Notably, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered local administration elections in Islamabad under the Local Administration Act 2015 and directed authorities to problem the election schedule on the same day.

Key points

• A five-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case.
• During the hearing, ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Malik remarked authorities had completed delimitation in Islamabad six times and issued election schedules on four occasions.
• Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja responded that holding elections under the existing law would not affect the delimitation process.
• He further informed the commission that the presidential ordinance issued by the administration expired on September 6.
• Malik continued that the administration had not provided the rules for Islamabad's local administration system.

Notably, a five-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case. The secretary of interior and ECP authorities additionally appeared before the commission. Islamabad Could Run Itself Like a Province Under New Plan.

During the hearing, ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Malik remarked authorities had completed delimitation in Islamabad six times and issued election schedules on four occasions. The last schedule was confirmed on October 9, 2026, with polling planned for February 2026.

He further informed the commission that the presidential ordinance issued by the administration expired on September 6. The ECP published the final delimitation on October 14 and sent two reminder letters to the Ministry of Interior regarding the ordinance's expiry.

Malik continued that the administration had not provided the rules for Islamabad's local administration system. While the federal administration had yet to introduce a new local administration law, the Ministry of Law had additionally refused to approve the rules. He argued that the 2015 law remained in force and elections should therefore proceed under it.

Meanwhile, the secretary of interior acknowledged that the facts presented before the commission were correct. Nevertheless, he stated authorities would have to discard the work completed so far if the elections proceeded under the 2015 law. Islamabad's 130 Union Councils Finalized as Delimitation Objections Dismissed.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja responded that holding elections under the existing law would not affect the delimitation process. According to He additionally, the interior minister, interior secretary, chief commissioner and a committee of ministers had given assurances regarding the elections.

Raja expressed concern that the administration appeared unwilling to hold local administration elections in Islamabad. He stressed that the Constitution requires local elections to take place under the applicable law.

Meanwhile, the ECP remarked it had been compelled to problem the order and directed authorities to announce the election schedule immediately. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

In short, ECP Takes Key Decision on Islamabad Local Govt Elections is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.