Islamabad local government elections set for December 20 after repeated delays

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has formally scheduled local government elections in Islamabad for December 20, reviving an electoral process that has been repeatedly delayed since the previous elected local government completed its term in 2021.

According to the ECP notification issued on October 21, polling will be held continuously from 8am to 4pm, while the commission has also imposed restrictions on transfers, postings and development announcements in the capital for the duration of the election process.

The commission has called upon voters in Islamabad Capital Territory to elect representatives to the general seats of union councils under Article 140-A and Article 219(d) of the Constitution, Section 219 of the Elections Act, 2017, and the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015.

Nomination papers to be filed from November 2

The ECP will issue the public notice inviting nomination papers on October 30, followed by the filing of nomination papers from November 2 to November 6.

The names of nominated candidates will be published on November 7, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from November 9 to 13.

Candidates will be able to file appeals against decisions of returning officers from November 14 to November 18, while appellate authorities will decide those appeals between November 19 and 23.

A revised list of candidates will be published on November 24.

Candidates will have until November 25 to withdraw their nomination papers, after which the final revised list will be issued. Election symbols will be allotted to contesting candidates on November 26, clearing the way for the final phase of campaigning ahead of polling day.

The ECP has also scheduled the consolidation of results between December 21 and December 24.

ECP imposes restrictions after election schedule

The notification also sets out a series of restrictions aimed at ensuring the elections are conducted fairly and without official influence.

Executive authorities in the federation have been barred from announcing development projects or using state resources in a way that could influence the election in favour of any candidate.

The commission has warned that any government employee who misuses an official position to influence the outcome of the polls may face legal proceedings.

No transfers or postings of government officers, officials or personnel working in autonomous bodies and authorities in Islamabad will be allowed without prior ECP approval until the publication of election results.

The notification also places restrictions on participation in the campaign by holders of senior public office.

The president, prime minister, Senate chairman and deputy chairman, National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, federal ministers, ministers of state, governors, chief ministers, provincial ministers, advisers to the prime minister and chief ministers, and other specified office-holders will not be allowed to participate in election campaigning.

Members of parliament and local government representatives, however, may take part in campaigning subject to the ECP’s code of conduct and other directions.

The commission also said leave for government officers or officials connected with the election will not be granted in Islamabad without its prior approval until results are published. Officials already on sanctioned leave will not be allowed to relinquish their charge without ECP approval.

Islamabad without elected local government since 2021

Islamabad has been without an elected local government since the previous setup completed its term in February 2021.

The electoral process has repeatedly stalled because of changes to the local government structure, revisions in the number of union councils and fresh delimitation exercises.

The capital’s first local government elections were held in 2015 for 50 union councils. Since then, the number and structure of union councils have been repeatedly revised, contributing to multiple delays.

The ECP had most recently planned local government polls for February 15, 2026, but those elections were postponed after changes were introduced to the Islamabad local government framework.

The fresh December 20 schedule therefore marks another attempt to restore elected local government in the federal capital after nearly six years.

If the current timetable proceeds without further legal or administrative interruption, Islamabad voters will move through the nomination, scrutiny, appeal and symbol-allocation process in November before polling on December 20.

The ECP has also directed its own offices, along with those of district and returning officers, to remain open on public holidays if any election-related activity falls on such a day, while all electoral activities under the schedule are to be conducted during official working hours.