ISLAMABAD – After years of election delays, cancelled schedules, legal complications and repeated government interventions, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finally announced December 20, 2026, as the date for local government elections in the federal capital, with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja openly questioning the federal government’s willingness to hold the long-overdue polls.
Islamabad Local Government Election Schedule
| Electoral activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Public notice inviting nominations | October 30, 2026 |
| Submission of nomination papers | November 2–6 |
| Publication of nominated candidates | November 7 |
| Scrutiny of nomination papers | November 9–13 |
| Appeals against nomination decisions | November 14–18 |
| Decisions on appeals | November 19–23 |
| Revised list of candidates | November 24 |
| Last date for withdrawal | November 25 |
| Allotment of election symbols | November 26 |
| Polling day | December 20 (Sunday) |
| Consolidation of results | December 21–24 |
ECP has formally called upon voters across Islamabad Capital Territory to elect representatives to the general seats of union councils.
The most striking development came during the commission’s hearing when Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja expressed serious reservations about the federal government’s handling of Islamabad’s electoral process. “It appears that the government does not wish to hold local government elections in Islamabad,” the CEC remarked.
The observation came after ECP officials detailed years of unsuccessful attempts to conduct elections despite repeated preparations and announcements. Raja also recalled assurances previously given by the interior minister, interior secretary and Islamabad’s chief commissioner regarding the electoral process.
He emphasised that elections must be conducted according to the local government legislation legally in force, making it necessary for the commission to intervene. “Compelled by the circumstances, we are now issuing an order for the Islamabad local government elections,” he declared.
During the hearing, ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Malik presented figures highlighting the extent of the delays. He revealed that constituency delimitation had been conducted six times, while four election schedules had been issued without resulting in polling.
Malik informed the commission that the latest election-related schedule was fixed for October 9, while an earlier polling plan had targeted February 2026. He explained that the Islamabad Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, expired on September 6, creating legal uncertainty over the proposed municipal structure.
The commission had twice reminded the Interior Ministry that the ordinance had expired, but the required local government election rules had not been provided. Law Ministry had also refused to vet the proposed rules because the ordinance under which they were prepared was no longer effective.
ECP had previously submitted its feedback on the proposed Islamabad Local Government Rules on July 20. Although a parliamentary standing committee approved replacement legislation on September 3, the ordinance expired three days later before the bill could become law.
With no replacement legislation enacted, ECP officials argued that the elections should proceed under the existing 2015 Act.
The hearing was attended by Interior Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar and Additional Deputy Commissioner Uzair Ali Khan, who represented Islamabad’s chief commissioner.
The five-member commission was headed by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, with Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana and retired Justice Ikramullah Khan also participating.
Senior ECP officials, including its secretary, special secretaries and legal and local government election officers, were present.
During the proceedings, the interior secretary acknowledged the facts presented by ECP officials but warned that reverting to the 2015 legislation could invalidate previously completed electoral preparations.
“If we revert to the 2015 law, everything will have to be scrapped,” he argued.
However, the chief election commissioner disagreed.
“If we revert to the 2015 law, the delimitations will not be affected,” Raja responded.
The commission subsequently directed its secretariat to immediately prepare and publish the election programme.
The order invoked Articles 140-A, 218(3), 219 and 220 of the Constitution, Section 219 of the Elections Act, 2017, and Sections 17 and 24 of the ICT Local Government Act, 2015.
The formal election notification also cited Rule 11 of the ICT Local Government (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2015.
Officials were instructed to complete all consequential arrangements promptly and strictly according to law.
Islamabad Without Elected Local Government Since 2021
The capital’s prolonged municipal crisis began after its first elected local government completed its tenure.
Islamabad held its inaugural local government elections in 2015 across 50 union councils.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won the elections, while Sheikh Anser Aziz became the capital’s first mayor.
The administration’s tenure ended in February 2021.
Under Article 140-A of the Constitution and Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, 2017, fresh elections are required within 120 days of the expiry of a local government’s term.
However, Islamabad’s residents have remained without elected municipal representatives for more than five years.
Repeated changes to local government laws, electoral boundaries and administrative arrangements disrupted successive election plans.
At one point, elections were postponed just a day before polling.
How Islamabad’s Union Councils Became a Political Battleground
The number of union councils in Islamabad has repeatedly changed, contributing to the electoral uncertainty.
Initially, the capital had 50 union councils. The number was later increased to 101 before being expanded to 125.
In December 2022, the ECP had scheduled local government elections for December 31 based on 101 union councils.
However, shortly before voting, the government introduced legislative changes increasing the number to 125.
The last-minute amendment forced the ECP to postpone polling because of logistical difficulties, despite an Islamabad High Court order directing elections to proceed.
Another election programme was subsequently announced for February 15, 2026, covering 125 union councils.
But that attempt also failed.
In January 2026, President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, proposing a major restructuring of the capital’s municipal administration.
The ordinance sought to replace the Metropolitan Corporation with three town corporations aligned with Islamabad’s National Assembly constituencies.
The change required fresh constituency delimitations, prompting the ECP to withdraw the February election schedule.
Although the federal government later pursued legislation to formalise the new system, the proposed law was not enacted before the ordinance expired on September 6.
The ECP has therefore decided to proceed under the 2015 legal framework rather than delay elections further.
Another Major Plan: Islamabad Could Get Its Own Assembly and Chief Minister
While the local government elections have finally been scheduled, the federal government is also considering an ambitious proposal to transform Islamabad’s governance system.
A high-level committee established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has recommended giving the capital a provincial-style administrative structure.
Under the proposal, Islamabad would have its own 27-member legislative assembly.
