New system: LG representatives take oath

Make pledge to strengthen democracy, improve governance

ISLAMABAD: In a historic moment some 650 newly-elected councillors took oath on Tuesday, making pledges to strengthen democracy through good governance, effective delivery of services, and participatory and transparent manner.

The council members were elected in the first-ever local bodies elections across the capital on November 30.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at Jinnah Convention Centre with hundreds of supporters of the elected representatives sitting in guest lobbies of the central hall. Two district and session judges administered the oath of office to the members.

All members are elected for a five-year term, commencing from the date of oath.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Raja Wahid Kiyani, chairman Kot Hathiyal-South union council, said due to absence of local government system in the capital, city’s rural areas lag far behind urban Islamabad in terms of development and provision of sufficient civic facilities. “Now we, the elected representatives of rural Islamabad, have an opportunity to bridge the gap,” Kiyani said.

PTI’s Semi Zaidi, vice-chairman of UC-29 (Sector F-10), said holding local government elections was the first step towards strengthening overall democratic culture.  “With the elections, mainstream political parties have established a direct political contact with masses, which will be helpful in resolving residents’ problems at their doorsteps.”

Chaudhry Matloob Hussain, chairman UC-19, said he would take up the issue of extension of CDA’s municipal limits to rural areas and model villages, in a bid to resolve long-standing development related issues.

Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar, chairman UC-30 (sector G-7), said residents have elected us to make Islamabad a model city for whole world. “Its development in line with international standards and provision of civic amenities to residents will be my top priority,” Gujjar said.

District Returning Officer Chaudhry Aleem Shahab while addressing the gathering said that a major step in paving way for local government system was completed.

Oath in English language

When District and Sessions Judge Nisar Baig started administrating oath from general councillors, youth, women, non-Muslim and workers representatives, they objected the language of oath, which was English.

It was pointed out by a councillor and supported by all. The councillor said the Supreme Court had recently directed the government to adopt Urdu as official language.

However, the judge said that at the moment he could not do anything, as they had been provided with the copies of oath in English language. Due to the issue, the proceedings were suspended for a while but resumed later and concluded smoothly.

Metropolitan Corporation

With the oath-taking ceremony, first part of the local government elections has been completed. Now, elections to complete formation of a metropolitan corporation (MC), which will run affairs of the city with an elected mayor as its head, will be held soon.

The 50 elected chairmen will form an electoral college to elect 16 members on reserved seats to form 66-member MC. With the elections for reserved seats, the MC will vote to elect a mayor and three deputy mayors for the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2015.