ECP to hold local elections in Islamabad

The Election Commission of Pakistan announced that local elections will be held in Islamabad and issued a long-awaited decision on delaying elections in the federal capital. The ECP issued 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, pointing out that the appointment of district returning officers (DROs), returning officers (ROs) and other election officials was the sole authority of the commission.

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

Last week, the ECP had summoned senior officials to deliberate on the proposed amendments in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Islamabad Administration under section 219(3) of the Election Act.

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

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