The request follows Islamabad declaring a public holiday on December 26 ahead of the UAE president’s visit
A security guard standing outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on September 21, 2023. Photo: AFP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Islamabad has formally approached the Chief Election Commissioner for a three-day extension in the deadline for submission of nomination papers for the upcoming local government 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 the President of the United Arab Emirates, 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, suggesting that the final date for filing nomination papers be extended to December 27.
Read: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan aide Shahzad Akbar injured in attack in UK
In its application, the PTI argued that the election process could be adversely affected due to a local holiday scheduled for December 26. The party urged the Election Commission to grant the extension in view of the transparency and fair election process.
The petition noted that the first phase of local government elections in Islamabad will be held across 125 union councils, with nomination papers required for nine councilors in each union council. It said the holiday could create administrative difficulties for candidates as well as for the offices concerned.
PTI further maintained that keeping the deadline on the last working day could result in congestion and procedural problems, whereas an extension of three days would facilitate smoother participation and ensure a more transparent process. A copy of the application was also sent to the Chief Election Commissioner in Islamabad.
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that local government elections would be held in Islamabad, ending a long delay in the election process in the federal capital.
In its written order, the ECP ruled that the recent amendments to the Islamabad Local Government Act 2015 were against the constitution and the law and directed its relevant wing to begin preparations for the publication of the election schedule.
