Local govt elections in Islamabad scheduled for December 20

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday announced that local government elections in Islamabad will be held on December 20 under the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015.

Polling will take place from 8am to 4pm, according to the election schedule released by the ECP following a hearing on delays in holding the polls.

A public notice inviting nomination papers will be issued on October 30, while candidates can submit their papers from November 2 to 6.

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

Appeals against returning officers’ decisions can be filed from November 14 to 18, with decisions on the appeals scheduled for November 19 to 23. A revised list of candidates will be published on November 24.

Candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by November 25, while election symbols will be allotted on November 26.

Consolidation of election results will take place from December 21 to 24.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja announced a brief order after a five-member ECP bench, headed by him, heard proceedings on the delay in Islamabad’s local government elections.