ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday announced the schedule for long-overdue local government elections in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), ending a nearly five-year delay since the previous local government completed its term in February 2021.
According to a notification — also posted on the ECP’s social media platforms — voters in Islamabad will elect representatives to the general seats of union councils under a detailed programme beginning next week. The ECP attributed the prolonged postponement of polls to legislative changes introduced after the expiry of the last local government.
Under the schedule, returning officers (ROs) will issue a public notice inviting nomination papers on December 19. Candidates may submit their papers from December 22 to 27, excluding the Quaid-i-Azam Day holiday on December 25. The list of nominated candidates will be published on December 29, followed by scrutiny of papers by ROs from December 30 to January 3, 2026.
Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nominations may be filed between January 5 and 8. Appellate authorities will decide these appeals between January 9 and 13, after which the revised candidate list will be published on January 14. January 15 will be the final date for withdrawal of candidature. Election symbols will be allotted the next day, when the list of contesting candidates is also issued.
Polling is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, with the consolidation of results set for February 16 to 19. Voting hours will run from 8am to 4pm, and all polling activity is to be conducted during official working hours.
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The ECP also issued directives to ensure a fair and transparent election process. It barred executive authorities from announcing development projects or using state resources in ways that could influence the polls. It warned that any public servant found misusing their position to sway the election would face legal action.
Additionally, the commission imposed a ban on transfers, postings and leave approvals for government officials stationed in Islamabad until after the results are published. Holders of high public office — including the president, prime minister, governors, chief ministers, and federal and provincial ministers — are prohibited from participating in the election campaign. However, members of parliament and local bodies may participate, provided they adhere to the ECP’s code of conduct.
In a notification also posted to social media, the ECP called on voters in the ICT to elect their representatives to the general seats of union councils.https://t.co/iMBMZQ2poo
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 9, 2025
The commission noted that the delay in LG polls had exceeded the constitutional requirement to hold elections within 120 days of the previous term’s expiry, and said it had issued the order to proceed with polling after repeatedly expressing concern over the prolonged postponement.
