The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared the notification of the Federal Government to increase the number of Union Councils (UCs) in Islamabad as a delaying tactic of local bodies elections in the capital territory and a violation of the Act.
ECP has issued an order regarding the local body elections in Islamabad according to which the elections will be held on December 31 as per the schedule.
The order signed by Chief Election Commissioner, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Nisar Durrani and Justice Ikramullah has stated that the election process will continue and the local body elections will be held on December 31 despite the notification of the federal government.
ECP has said that the notification of the federal government was in violation of the Islamabad Local Government Act 2015. It said that all the stages for the local body elections in Islamabad have been completed, nomination papers have been filed, election symbols have been given and printing of ballot papers along with the training of polling staff have also been completed.
The federal government had issued a notification to increase the number of union councils in Islamabad from 101 to 125.
