Hearings on delimitation pleas conclude

The Regional Election Commission, Islamabad Appellate Authority, has concluded hearings on objections to the new delimitation of Islamabad's union councils (UCs) and has submitted its final report to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

A final notification of the new delimitations is expected next week, paving the way for local government elections in the federal capital.

In the new district boundaries, the number of union councils has been increased to 125, and each UC will now have nine wards instead of six. This move sparked significant opposition from voters, political parties, and candidates, leading to 31 objections being filed.

The appellate authority dismissed 27 objections but upheld four, leading to changes in certain ward boundaries.

Citizens and candidates still have the option to challenge the new delimitations in the Islamabad High Court. According to sources within the regional election commission, most objections were technical in nature, with concerns about the expansion of ward blocks.

With the delimitation process nearing completion, the stage is now set for Islamabad's local government elections.

The ECP completed and released the new delimitation of Islamabad last month, setting the stage for the federal capital's local government elections in 2025.