Islamabad: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has directed to take immediate steps for holding Local Bodies (LB) polls in federal capital.

" LB polls is a constitutional requirement but this requirement has not been met since more than five years in Islamabad, he said this while presiding over an important meeting in connection with LB polls in Islamabad Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by members of Election Commission (EC), secretary EC, secretary interior ministry, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and other officers.

CEC said local governments are in place in KP, Sindh and Balochistan. But LB polls could not be held in Punjab and Islamabad despite efforts of EC due to change in LB rules.

Holding LB polls is a constitutional requirement under article 140 (A) of the constitution.

Commission was briefed during the meeting that Local Bodies tenure in Islamabad ended on February 14, 2021. But election could not take place so far.

Federal government made amendments in Islamabad local government act-2015 on January 10, 2026 through ordinance.

Under this notification EC needs notification on limits of town corporations. notification of number of union councils in every town corporation, maps in accordance with limits of town corporations, rules in accordance with ordinance and the amendments proposed by EC in ordinance.

Commission was informed that the respective institutions assured several time to provide the notifications, maps and data required by EC. But it has not been done so far.

Chief commissioner Islamabad while briefing EC said the case of issuing notification regarding number of union councils in every town within the limits of town corporations has been sent to interior ministry. It will be sent to respective standing committee and its final approval will be given by federal cabinet.

EC directed interior secretary, and chief commissioner Islamabad to approach the respective standing committee and federal cabinet forthwith and ensure issuance of the said notifications. If no progress is made in this matter then the case will be fixed for hearing in EC. If need arises then the matter will be taken up with federal government at appropriate level. Data, notifications, maps and amendments in rules and regulations be provided to EC immediately so that EC could issue schedule for delimitation.