ISLAMABAD, March 8: Cooperative Societies Election Rules- 2004 of Capital Territory have been amended barring office-bearer and committee member from serving more than two consecutive terms.

The rules have been amended by chief commissioner Islamabad in exercise of powers conferred by section 71 of the Cooperative Societies Act-1925.

Now the amended rules are called as Islamabad Capital Territory Cooperative Societies Election Rules-2006.

When contacted, a senior official of the ICT said under the amended rules it had become mandatory for all office bearers of cooperative societies to avoid holding any office in the society for more then two terms.

Under the new amendments, an election commission would be constituted by Registrar, Cooperative Societies, ICT at least 90 days prior to the expiry of the term of the existing committee.

The election commission would consist of an election commissioner and two other members who may also be any non- controversial member of the society.

If any member of the election commission is nominated from the members of the society, he/she would not be eligible for contesting the elections.

Meanwhile, a source in the ICT told Dawn that the authority concerned had also barred real estate dealers and serving government officials from becoming the office-bearers of any cooperative society under the amended rules. However, due to influence of real estate dealers the decision could not be approved.

The source said as a result of proposed ban on serving government officials from taking part in the elections of cooperative societies and becoming their office bearers the ICT administration could loose the grip on the cooperative housing societies. Therefore the proposed restriction was waved.