ISLAMABAD: The first-ever local government elections in Pakistani capital of Islamabad, was postponed due to lack of legislative cover, in the face of another legal hurdle. The law under which delimitations were conducted has expired.
Boundaries for local councils were marked in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) earlier this year through a Presidential Ordinance. This ordinance has lapsed now since parliament did not endorse it within the stipulated time period. Any changes in the delimitations would now require a fresh law.
The delimitations in Islamabad were carried out on the assumption that elections will be non-party based. Senate last week passed the ICT Local Government Bill but with a key amendment-changing LG system to party-based one.
In the new system, Election Commission of Pakistan would need to sub-divide each of the 79 union councils earmarked earlier during the delimitation exercise into six wards.
LG polls were due in Islamabad on July 25 but ECP recalled schedule on July 10 after a SC order. The government had assured the apex court that it will try to pass ICT local government bill within a few days. Senate did pass the bill but due to amendment it has been sent back to NA.
Presidential ordinance empowering ECP to carry out delimitations lapsed after completing its four month duration. Once a presidential ordinance is issued it needs to be passed by both houses of parliament separately, otherwise it dies after 120 days. ICT delimitations ordinance has already met this fate now.
Internews
