The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled a hearing for 21 October 2026 to consider the legal basis for long-delayed local government elections in Islamabad after a 2026 amendment ordinance expired. The commission has issued notices to the federal interior secretary and Islamabad’s chief commissioner to assist with the proceedings.
The decision followed a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja on 14 October. According to the ECP account cited in contemporary reporting, delimitation work initiated on 21 July under the amendment ordinance had been completed, with final lists published on 13 October.
Why a hearing is necessary
The ECP said the ordinance expired on 6 September before the required legislation was enacted. The Ministry of Law and Justice subsequently returned draft local-government rules to the Interior Ministry because rules could not be framed under the expired ordinance. The commission will therefore consider whether it can proceed under the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015.
Islamabad’s previous local government tenure ended in 2021. Attempts to hold replacement elections have faced repeated delays involving changes to the governing framework and administrative arrangements.
What happens next
The 21 October date is for an ECP hearing, not for voting. The commission has indicated that it intends to issue a polling schedule under the earlier law after considering the matter, but a new election date had not been announced as of 15 October.
Separately, a government committee has proposed a different governance structure for the federal capital, including an elected assembly. That proposal has not been enacted and should not be confused with the local-election proceedings.
Sources: Dawn, 15 October; Express Tribune, 14 October.