The request comes after Islamabad declared a public holiday on December 26 ahead of the UAE president’s visit.
A security guard in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on September 21, 2023. Photo: AFP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Islamabad has formally approached the Chief Election Commissioner seeking a three-day extension in the deadline for submission of nomination papers for the upcoming local government elections in the federal capital.
The request comes after the Islamabad administration announced a public holiday in the federal capital on Friday, December 26, in view of the arrival of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The request was submitted to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja by Anjum Shehzad Tanoli, secretary of PTI’s Local Government Committee, proposing that the final date for submission of nomination papers be extended to December 27.
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In its request, the PTI argued that the electoral process could be adversely affected due to a local holiday scheduled for December 26. The party urged the Election Commission to grant the extension in the interest of transparency and fair electoral process.
The application notes that the first phase of local government elections in Islamabad will be held in 125 union councils, and nomination papers will be required for nine councilors in each union council. He said the holiday could create administrative difficulties for both candidates and the offices concerned.
PTI further maintained that keeping the deadline on the last working day could lead to congestion and procedural issues, while a three-day extension would facilitate smoother participation and ensure a more transparent process. A copy of the application was also sent to the Chief Election Commissioner in Islamabad.
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that local government elections would be held in Islamabad, ending a long delay in the electoral process in the federal capital.
In its written order, the ECP ruled that the recent amendments to the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015 were inconsistent with the Constitution and the law, and directed its relevant wing to begin preparations to announce the election schedule.
