ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has withdrawn the schedule for local government elections in the federal capital Islamabad. The decision was taken in light of the Islamabad Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated by the government on January 10.
The ordinance has introduced significant changes to the structure and mode of local government elections in Islamabad, making it necessary to review the existing election framework.
In this regard, the notification stated that due to the changes in the local government structure and the electoral mechanism, the previously announced election program could no longer be implemented. As a result, the Election Commission has formally withdrawn the local government elections schedule for Islamabad.
It is important to note that the ECP had earlier announced that local government elections in Islamabad would be held on February 15. However, following the issuance of the new ordinance, the federal government requested the Election Commission to defer the elections.
The Ministry of Interior sent a detailed letter to the ECP, formally seeking the de-notification of the existing election schedule.
Meanwhile, the President of Pakistan has promulgated the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance, which outlines a revised composition of town corporations.
The ordinance further states that general members of union councils will be elected through a secret ballot. For this purpose, the entire union council will be treated as a multi-member ward, where each voter will cast a vote for one general member candidate. The nine candidates securing the highest number of votes will be declared elected as general members.
Additionally, the ordinance allows successful candidates to join any political party within 30 days of their election. General members will elect members on reserved seats through a show of hands.
Similarly, the chairman and vice chairman of the union council will be elected through an open vote by general and reserved members and may also join a political party within 30 days.
The Election Commission has not yet announced a revised schedule for the local government elections. Observers expect further consultations between the government and the ECP to determine the way forward under the new legal framework.
