Controversial ICT LG bill rushed through NA

Amendment bill seeks direct vote for slots of mayor and his deputy

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly at an emergency session on Thursday approved the controversial Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Amendment Bill 2022 with a majority vote seeking to increase the number of union councils and direct election for the slot of mayor and deputy mayor.

The ICT Local Government Amendment Bill 2022 will come into effect immediately. The NA passed the amended bill a day after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday announced that local government elections would be in the federal capital held as per schedule.

According to the amended bill, the number of union councils in Islamabad will be 125 from the existing 101 and the election of mayor and deputy mayor will be held directly. The federal government’s decision had left both the candidates and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) astonished.

The National Assembly session was chaired by Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. The ICT Lpcal Government amendment bill was presented by Minister of State for Law Shahadat Awan.

According to the bill, a single vote shall be cast for the election of the mayor and the deputy mayor. The slot of the mayor and deputy mayor shall be re-elected directly in case the slots fall vacant. Voting for the mayor and deputy mayor slots will be held on the day of the election of the union councils.

Earlier in the day on Monday, the federal cabinet, through a notification via the interior ministry, decided that elections would be held in 125 union councils and not in the existing 101 UCs. After the federal government’s decision, all looked at the ECP whether or not it would agree with the government’s stance and postpone the polls till the new delimitations– a process that requires several months.

However, in the evening the top election body issued a written verdict declaring the notification of the Ministry of Interior illegal. It said the LG polls in Islamabad would be conducted on December 31. The ECP said that the decision had been taken under Article 218, 219 and 222 of the constitution.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had opposed the decision of the federal government, stating it was an attempt to evade elections.

The number of Union councils (UC) in the federal capital had been increased from 50 to 101 a few months ago. The ECP re-demarcated constituencies and issued a new schedule.

According to the ECP, all preparations have been completed for holding local body elections in Islamabad. It said that candidates have filed nomination papers and election symbols have been allotted t the candidate.

Speaking on the floor of the assembly, MNA Ramesh Kumar said that the amended bill sought a direct election for the slots of mayor and deputy mayor. “Why do we do everything in such a hurry? If it had to be done, then why it was not done before the schedule was announced?.

It seeks to increase union councils from 100 to 125? The bill is so important but the house is not in full quorum and order,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2022.