The National Assembly passed the Islamabad Municipal Elections Amendment Bill

The Lower House of the Pakistani Parliament National Assembly On Monday Islamabad Municipal elections The amendment bill was passed.

According to the approved amendment bill, the Union Council will consist of chairman and vice-chairman, nine general general members, three women, one farmer or worker, one youth member and one non-Muslim elected as joint candidates.

The term of the local government of Islamabad ended on February 14, 2021. According to the Elections Act 2017, the federal government and the Election Commission are bound to conduct the elections within 120 days.

However, despite the passage of three years, local elections have not been held in the federal capital.

What happened at the meeting?

In Monday’s meeting, Federal Law Minister Nazir Tarar presented the Islamabad Capital Development Territory Local Government Amendment Bill 2024.

He said that government elections are going to be held in Islamabad while the number of members in the Union Council is going to be increased.

Alia Kamran, a member of the National Assembly affiliated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, said that how and why this bill was brought in such a hurry, she has objection to it.

Gohar Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf said that there are several precedents of the Supreme Court where it was said that when the work on something has started, there can be no legislation in it during that time.

During the meeting, PTI sought assurance from the government regarding the conduct of elections.

Atif Khan requested the Speaker and said that the government is not keen on holding elections.

“They have already postponed the provincial assembly elections. An assurance should be sought from the Minister of Law in the House that the approval of this bill will not postpone the elections.

The Law Minister said, ‘I cannot give assurance because conducting elections is the job of the Election Commission. However, we are ready for the election.

On his reply, the opposition benches started laughing.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said, “If there is a little delay in the election, we will give a complete system.” We want to bring a system in Islamabad close to the London model, we will give the best system to Islamabad.

Gohar Khan said that it is not written in the constitution that the Election Commission will conduct the elections of any city, but it mentions the provinces. The boat of democracy has been sunk by the Election Commission, it has no right to re-election.

Gauhar Khan gave the example of India and said that the Election Commission conducts the elections of both houses there, but the local government does not conduct them.

According to Article 140A of the Constitution of Pakistan, each province shall establish a system of local government and shall delegate political, administrative and financial responsibility and powers to elected representatives of the local governments.

Sanaullah Mastikhel said that ‘the purpose of bringing the bill is not to hold elections, we also know this.’

Ali Muhammad Khan raised the question that ‘rules are being violated in the approval of the bill. Is the bill being approved immediately? It takes two days for the approval of the bill.

Later, Local Government Elections Amendment Bill 2024 was passed by majority vote.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has extended the date of submission of nomination papers for the Islamabad Municipal Elections in view of the requests of various political parties, participation of prospective candidates in the election process and to facilitate them in this regard.

The last date for submission of papers is now August 28.

The Election Commission has also officially notified the revised election schedule, according to which polling will now be held on October 9.

According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader and legal expert Shoaib Shaheen, the approval of the bill related to local elections may bring change in the union councils, so PTI will challenge it.

He said in a conversation with Independent Urdu that the government is looking for an excuse to postpone the elections. “The federal government is trying to bring in corrupt practices so that instead of the chairman and vice-chairman, only councilors are elected.”

‘All this will be done so that the government can break the bonds at will or dislike, make them disappear or be able to make a chairman of their choice. All this is their bad intention. PTI will challenge him.’

This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).

The annual report of the National Economic Council for the year 2020-2020 will also be presented in the current session, while a notice to draw attention to the increasing cases of monkeypox in Pakistan will also be part of the proceedings of the House.

In recent days, two cases of monkeypox have come to light in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following which screening teams have been deployed at airports.

According to the agenda of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee on Law and Justice will present a report on the Mubarak Sani case.

In the session of the National Assembly, Chairman Standing Committee for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haq presented the reports of the Standing Committees on the bill for the establishment of the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal and Chairman Standing Committee for Defense Fathullah Khan Bhang on the bill for the establishment of the Authority for the Control and Regulation of Cannabis. will

According to the agenda, Hina Rabbani Khar will present the reports of Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on Apostille Bill 2024 and Standing Committee on Privatization on Privatization Commission Amendment Bill 2024.

During the meeting, a notice to draw attention to the use of drugs by students in educational institutions will also be presented in the House.