The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct long-delayed local government elections in the Federal capital.According to the reserved verdict issued by the Commission, the ECP is authorised to appoint Returning Officers (ROs), Deputy Returning Officers (DROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) from government officers, the judiciary, or any government institution for the conduct of local elections.

It is noteworthy that the tenure of Islamabad’s local government ended on February 14, 2021.Under the law, the ECP is required to hold local government elections within 120 days of the completion of the tenure. However, no elections have been conducted in Islamabad since 2021.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)