ISLAMABAD: Despite fears of rigging, the Islamabad wing of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to participate in the local government elections scheduled for February 15 across the federal capital.

In line with party policy, workers who have remained loyal to PTI and its ideology over the past three years will be given priority in nominations.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by PTI Islamabad President Aamir Mughal and attended by Regional Secretary and Chairman Local Government Committee Malik Aamir Ali Awan, ticket holders Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, and Senate ticket holders Fauzia Arshad and Syed Farzand Shah, along with other senior office-bearers.

After consultations, it was unanimously decided that PTI Islamabad would contest the elections. However, participants expressed concerns that the elections could be “rigged,” similar to the recent National Assembly elections in Haripur.

They also noted that amendments to the 2015 Local Government Act, including the abolition of direct elections for chairman and vice chairman, could facilitate rigging and horse-trading to manipulate the public mandate. Despite these challenges, they vowed to contest the elections with full strength and achieve a clean sweep across the district.

Under the leadership of Local Government Committee Chairman Malik Aamir, a “Local Government Committee” comprising district presidents, general secretaries, heads of all wings, ticket holders, and senior members will be formed. An election manifesto will be prepared, and a campaign team established.

A legal team will also be created under the committee to oversee election campaigns, scrutiny and submission of nomination papers, and handle all related legal matters.

Regional President Aamir Mughal, in consultation with leaders of the three constituencies and senior members, will form a “Parliamentary Board” to monitor ticket allocation. Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari and Aamir Mughal will ensure the presence of party candidates in all union councils. During the campaign, candidates and party leadership will actively mobilise voters.

Speaking to Dawn, Aamir Mughal said that despite flawed amendments that encourage rigging, PTI would achieve a clean sweep in the local government elections, as it did in the general elections.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already announced the schedule for the Islamabad Capital Territory elections. The term of the local government expired in February 2021, but elections were delayed due to “new legislation.”

According to the ECP notification, public notices inviting nomination papers will be issued on December 19. Candidates may file nominations with returning officers (ROs) from December 22-27, excluding December 25 (Quaid-i-Azam Day).

Nominated candidates’ names will be published on December 29, and nomination papers will be scrutinised from December 30 to January 3, 2026.

Appeals against RO decisions may be filed from January 5-8 and will be decided by the Appellate Authority from January 9-13. The revised candidate list will be published on January 14.

January 15 is the final day for withdrawal of candidature, after which election symbols will be allotted and the list of contesting candidates published.

Polling will be held on Sunday, February 15, with results consolidated between February 16-19.

The ECP notification also states that polling hours will be from 8am to 4pm, with all polling activities conducted during office hours.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2025