ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: The local government elections in Islamabad will be held on March 15, 2003, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

The sources said the decision in this regard was made at a meeting, which held at the interior ministry. The meeting was presided over by the interior minister, Faisal Saleh Hayat.

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has been directed to make arrangements for holding LG polls, the sources said.

The additional deputy commissioner (general), Tariq Malik, confirmed that LG polls would be held on March 15.

He said the process of delimitation would be started in the current week under which 40 union councils would be established in both rural an urban areas.

An official of the election commission of Pakistan said the commission had already prepared electoral rolls.

After the announcement of election schedule, some 35 days time is given to the candidates so that they could meet requirements to participate in the polls.

During the period, nomination papers are submitted, objections are raised and final decisions are announced.

Meanwhile, the member planning of Capital Development Authority (CDA), Maqbool Elahi, said presently, the CDA was providing its services only in urban areas, but in the new setup it would extend its services to the rural area as well.

The official confirmed that the CDA would not be abolished and some of the departments of the ICT administration would be merged in it.

An official of the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) said the LG system in the capital would be different from other district governments in the country.

He said a Federal Capital Commission (FCC) would be formed which would comprise eight members, including present members of the CDA board and technocrats.

The interior minister would be the chief executive of Islamabad and would enjoy the powers of provincial governor.

The FCC would be headed by the interior secretary and district Nazim, CDA chairman, district council and police would work under the commission.

The district Nazim would be elected and the district coordination officer (DCO) will be appointed, who will work under the district Nazim. There would be no Tehsil Nazim in Islamabad.

APP ADDS: The interior minister, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, on Wednesday said schedule for local government elections in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) would be announced soon.