President Dr Arif Alvi has returned unsigned the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill that seeks to increase the number of union councils in Islamabad while observing that the bill will further delay the LG elections, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The official Twitter handle of Presidency wrote on Sunday: “President Dr Arif Alvi has returned unsigned the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in terms of clause (1) (b) of Article 75 of the Constitution.
“The Bill was returned by observing that it would further delay the Local Government elections. “Actions of the Federal Government taken in hurry resulted in delaying election process twice, which was anathema to democracy”.
The Bill was returned by observing that it would further delay the Local Government elections. “Actions of the Federal Government taken in hurry resulted in delaying election process twice, which was anathema to democracy”.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) January 1, 2023
2/6
“It was further stated, “elections could not be held in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) due to the following mala fide actions of Federal Government :-
i) After completion of delimitation of 50 Union Councils, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced elections of Local Government in ICT on 31st July 2022. Despite announcement of polling date, Federal Government increased number of Union Councils from 50 to 101,
i) After completion of delimitation of 50 Union Councils, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced elections of Local Government in ICT on 31st July 2022. Despite announcement of polling date, Federal Government increased number of Union Councils from 50 to 101, ...
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) January 1, 2023
4/6
ii) After demarcation of 101 Union Councils, ECP decided to hold elections in ICT on 31st December 2022. Section 2 of current Bill provides for 125 Union Councils in the ICT.
“Therefore, elections scheduled for 31st December 2022 have been again postponed.
iii) As per Section 3 of current Bill, mode of elections of Mayor and Deputy Mayor has been changed after announcement of schedule of elections".
Therefore, elections scheduled for 31st December 2022 have been again postponed.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) January 1, 2023
iii) As per Section 3 of current Bill, mode of elections of Mayor and Deputy Mayor has been changed after announcement of schedule of elections".
6/6
Reporter Awais Kiyani