ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Web Desk : The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Sikandar Sultan Raja, has criticized the current government for neglecting local government elections and emphasized that serious measures will now be taken to hold polls in Islamabad and Punjab without further delay.
During a hearing on March 10, 2026, regarding delays in local elections, the five-member Election Commission discussed procedural issues with the participation of the Interior Secretary, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was absent due to health reasons. The Chief Election Commissioner exempted the minister from attending the hearing.
Election officials stated that the authority to include Union Council names in draft notifications rests solely with the Election Commission, not the Interior Secretary. They noted discrepancies in the draft, including an improper notification of Union Councils, unauthorized increase of councils from 125 to 130, and unnecessary ward details.
The Interior Secretary apologized and confirmed that the draft notification for Islamabad local elections had already been presented to the cabinet and reviewed by the Ministry of Law.
Chief Election Commissioner Raja highlighted that Islamabad has not held local elections since February 2021. While previous governments responded positively to local governance matters, the current administration has been neglecting the Election Commission and local governments, prompting a contempt notice, which was later withdrawn in the presence of the Interior Secretary.
A committee comprising Election Commission and ICT officials will now oversee preparations for Islamabad elections, chaired by the Chief Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, to ensure proper progress. The Chief Election Commissioner reaffirmed that both Islamabad and Punjab will see timely and serious action to conduct elections. The hearing was adjourned for further proceedings.
