ECP to hold local polls in Islamabad

Election commission rules recent changes to Islamabad Local Government Act 2015 as unconstitutional and unlawful

The Election Commission of Pakistan announced that local government elections will be held in Islamabad, issuing a long-awaited decision on the delayed polls in the federal capital. The ECP released its reserved verdict on the matter on Monday, ruling that the recent amendments to the Islamabad Local Government Act 2015 were inconsistent with the Constitution and the law.

In its written order, the ECP said the Secretary of the Local Government Department could not conduct elections for women and other reserved seats, noting that appointing district returning officers (DROs), returning officers (ROs) and other poll officials was the sole authority of the commission.

The decision added that the ECP would appoint its election staff from the judiciary or the administrative services, as the secretary of the Local Government Department did not meet the criteria of a “public officer” under the law. The ECP also directed its relevant wing to begin preparing the schedule for the local government elections in Islamabad.

Last week, the ECP had summoned senior officials to deliberate on proposed amendments in consultation with interior ministry and Islamabad Administration under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, issued notices to the interior secretary and the chief commissioner, directing them to appear at upcoming hearing on Islamabad's local government elections. The election commission was briefed during the meeting that an amendment is required in Section 15 of the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).

Officials noted that the commission has written to the Ministry of Interior, urging the necessary changes to ensure smooth implementation of the law. ECP confirmed that it last received correspondence from the Ministry of Interior on October 23, 2025.