PTI set to contest all 125 seats in Islamabad local bodies elections
PTI prepares to contest all 125 seats
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has directed its district and town organisations to submit nomination papers for every ward across Islamabad’s union councils from November 2 to 6. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled polling for December 20.
PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal confirmed the decision while speaking to Dawn. “We have decided to contest elections on all 125 seats of union councils”, he said.
Mughal said party representatives had visited different areas to seek public opinion about taking part in the elections. He claimed that “over 95 per cent of people suggested contesting the elections.”
Party cites support from office-bearers
Mughal said the party would take part regardless of the election symbols assigned to its candidates. “They were of the view that the government can not do more than what it is already doing with the party. So we will contest without going into what kind of election symbols are allotted to our candidates,” he said.
In a statement, PTI said Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen and Malik Aamir had held more than 25 meetings across three electoral constituencies over three days. The party added that around 400 office-bearers had been consulted online, with 95 per cent reportedly supporting participation.
The consultations included representatives from district and regional organisations, eight town organisations, all 125 union councils and different party wings. These included the labour wing, Insaf Students Federation, youth, traders and women’s wings, along with party committees and advisory bodies.
PTI raises concerns over election rules
PTI said it would select candidates committed to public service and loyal to the political ideology of party founder Imran Khan. It also said preference would be given to dedicated and principled workers who had remained active in the party’s political struggle.
The party criticised the existing local government law, arguing that elected representatives would have limited authority over basic services such as street cleaning. It claimed the system gave too much power to the bureaucracy and weakened the role of elected local representatives.
PTI also opposed a reported proposal to elect chairmen and vice chairmen indirectly through councillors instead of through direct voting. The party warned that councillors could face pressure or intimidation, potentially affecting the fairness of the process.
The party further questioned the proposed four-day gap between polling and the announcement of results, claiming that it could create opportunities for manipulation. These concerns represent PTI’s position, and the allegations have not been independently established in the information provided.
Election delays and polling schedule
Mughal said the ECP had postponed the elections four times and expressed concern that another delay could occur. PTI has vowed to push for polling to take place on the announced date and claimed Islamabad has traditionally been one of its strongholds.
The term of Islamabad’s previous local government ended in February 2021, and elections were expected within 120 days. However, the process faced repeated delays as authorities carried out constituency delimitation and announced schedules that were later postponed.
Under the latest schedule, October 30 is set for issuing the public notice inviting nomination papers, while candidates are to submit their papers from November 2 to 6. After the remaining electoral stages are completed, polling is scheduled for December 20.
PTI’s decision sets the stage for a contest across Islamabad’s 125 union council seats, while the party is also challenging the local government system and election procedures. Whether polling takes place on schedule and how much authority elected representatives receive will be important issues in the run-up to the vote.
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