Residents of Islamabad may have wondered why election banners and posters have yet not appeared in the city despite the announcement of local government elections. This is because the filing of nomination papers for general members of union councils has begun just today i.e. Monday, December 22, 2025.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the election schedule for the ICT local government elections on December 9. Under the schedule, the formal election process commenced on December 19 with the issuance of a public notice by the Returning Officers (ROs) inviting nomination papers from candidates.
The process of filing nomination papers will continue for five days until December 27, while the RO offices will remain closed on Quaid-e-Azam Day i.e. December 25. The ROs will publish lists of all the nominated candidates for each ward within UCs on December 29 while the scrutiny process will begin on December 30 and continue until January 3, 2026.
What are the next steps in the election process?
The filing of nomination papers will continue for five days until December 27. However, RO offices will remain closed on December 25 on account of Quaid-e-Azam Day. Upon conclusion of this process, the ROs will publish the lists of nominated candidates for each ward within Union Councils on December 29. Scrutiny of nomination papers will begin on December 30 and continue until January 3, 2026. After decisions on appeals against the scrutiny orders by the ROs and withdrawal of candidates, if any, the final lists of candidates along with their parties and election symbols will be published on January 16, 2026. These candidates will then have 28 days for active campaigning before the polling day i.e. February 15.
Who can contest as a general member?
Under Section 25 of the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015, any Pakistani citizen who is enrolled as a voter in the electoral rolls of a Union Council may contest as a general member from a ward within that Union Council. Under Rule 12(2) of the ICT LG (Conduct of Election) Rules, 2015, a voter of the concerned ward may propose or second the name of any eligible person for election as a general member of the Union Council.
What must be submitted with the nomination papers?
Each nomination paper must be signed by the proposer, the seconder, and the candidate. It must be accompanied by a declaration of the candidate’s assets and liabilities on the format prescribed under the ICT LG (Conduct of Election) Rules 2015. Under Rule 12(4), these declarations are open to public inspection. Candidates are also required to deposit a non-refundable nomination fee of PKR 2,000 and attach the official receipt with the nomination papers.
Who are the election officials?
According to the ECP notification issued on December 9, 2025, election officials for the local government elections have been taken from the ICT Administration and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, has been appointed as the District Returning Officer. Of the 16 Returning Officers, ten are from the Federal Directorate of Education, including principals and education officers, while six are from the ICT Administration, including assistant commissioners, an additional deputy commissioner, and a labour officer.
