The request follows Islamabad’s declaration of a public holiday on December 26 ahead of the UAE president’s visit
A security guard outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on September 21, 2023. Photo: AFP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Islamabad has officially contacted the Chief Election Commissioner seeking a three-day extension in the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the upcoming local body elections in the federal capital.
The request comes after the Islamabad administration announced a public holiday in the federal capital on Friday (December 26) in view of the arrival of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The request was submitted to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja by Anjum Shehzad Tanoli, secretary of PTI’s local government committee, proposing that the deadline for filing nominations be extended to December 27.
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In its demand, the PTI argued that the electoral process could be affected due to a local public holiday scheduled for December 26. The party urged the Election Commission to grant the extension in the interest of transparency and a fair electoral process.
The application said the first phase of local government elections in Islamabad would be held in 125 union councils, with nomination papers required for nine councilors in each union council. He added that this holiday could create administrative difficulties for candidates as well as for the functions concerned.
The PTI further argued that keeping the deadline to the last working day could lead to congestion and procedural glitches, while an extension of three days would facilitate smoother participation and ensure a more transparent process. A copy of the application has also been sent to the Chief Election Commissioner in Islamabad.
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that local elections would be held in Islamabad, ending a prolonged delay in the electoral process in the federal capital.
In its written order, the ECP ruled that the recent amendments to the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015 were inconsistent with the Constitution and law, and directed its relevant wing to begin preparations for the announcement of the election schedule.
