ISLAMABAD: The prolonged delay in local government elections in the federal capital seems to be ending soon as the Election Commission of Pakistan has released its reserved verdict and formally announced to hold the polls.
The commission declared that the recent amendment made to the Islamabad Local Government Act 2015 was inconsistent with constitutional principles and contrary to established law.
It noted that the secretary of the Local Government Department does not have the authority to hold elections on reserved seats, including those allocated for women and other specific categories, and emphasized that the appointment of District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and all other election personnel remains exclusively the responsibility of the Election Commission.
The ruling further stated that the commission will appoint its election officials from either the judiciary or the administrative services, since the Secretary of Local Government does not meet the legal criteria required for a public officer performing election duties.
Along with this, the Election Commission has instructed its relevant wing to immediately begin preparing the official schedule for the upcoming local government elections in Islamabad.
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