ECP Blocks Amendment, Clears Path for Islamabad Elections

News Desk

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday announced that it will conduct local government elections in Islamabad, directing its office to begin preparations for the election schedule and related arrangements.

In a reserved verdict on the long-pending issue, the Commission ruled that the amendment made to Section 15 of the ICT Local Government Act, 2015—through the ICT Amendment Act, 2024—was not in line with the Constitution, the Elections Act, 2017, or Section 20 of the original ICT Local Government Act.

The ECP reaffirmed that, under the Elections Act, it has full authority to appoint its own officers to conduct elections. It further clarified that district returning officers (DROs), returning officers (ROs), and assistant returning officers (AROs) may be appointed from government departments, the judiciary, or other public bodies.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/islamabad-launches-m-tag-campaign-with-rs250-installation-fee/

The Commission determined that union council secretaries were not eligible to conduct local government elections and that polls on reserved seats must be overseen by officials nominated directly by the ECP.

According to the decision, the term of Islamabad’s local government expired on February 14, 2021. The Commission underscored its constitutional duty to hold local government elections within 120 days of the end of a local body’s tenure.

The ECP has now instructed its office to finalize the schedule and logistical arrangements for the upcoming local bodies elections in the federal capital.