The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the immediate conduct of local government elections in Islamabad, stating that assigning the responsibility to a Union Council secretary would violate constitutional and legal provisions.
According to an official ECP statement, Islamabad’s local governments’ term ended on February 14, 2021, and under Articles 140-A and 219 of the Constitution, the federal government is obligated to hold elections within 120 days.
The statement noted that elections were repeatedly delayed due to various reasons. The ECP has completed five delimitations and announced the schedule three times, while corresponding with relevant institutions, but elections could not be held.
The ECP formally heard the case on November 13, 2025, and issued its ruling on November 17, 2025, instructing that the election schedule be immediately announced.
The statement emphasized that the recent amendment to Section 15(2) of the Local Government Act 2015, assigning election responsibilities to Union Council secretaries, contradicts the Constitution and law. The ECP clarified that it cannot be bound to hold local government elections under the secretary’s supervision.
Under the Elections Act 2017 and relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 2015, the commission has the authority to appoint District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs), and Assistant ROs (AROs). The ECP may designate its officials, judicial officers, or administrative officers as returning officers and election staff.
The commission also ruled that Union Council secretaries do not meet the definition of “government officers” for election purposes and cannot be assigned presiding officer duties. Elections will therefore be conducted by officers formally appointed and notified by the ECP.
