The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has extended the deadline for submission of nomination papers for candidates contesting the upcoming local government elections in Islamabad.
According to an ECP spokesperson, the new deadline has been set for December 30, 2025, following a two-day extension. Earlier, the last date for submitting nomination papers was December 27.
The extension aims to give prospective candidates additional time to complete the nomination process and ensure smoother preparations for the local elections in the federal capital.
Meanwhile, the ECP has postponed local bodies elections in Quetta, which were scheduled to be held on December 28. The decision came after the Federal Shariat Court suspended the polls over legal concerns.As per the ECP notification, the elections have been postponed until further orders, in line with a directive from the Supreme Court. Earlier, the Federal Shariat Court had issued notices to Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, the Election Commission and other relevant parties, seeking written replies in the matter.
The court has deferred the hearing until the third week of January 2026, while keeping the existing schedule and the Balochistan High Court’s decision in abeyance.
During proceedings, Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan questioned the rationale of holding elections that could later be declared null and void. Justice Amir Farooq cautioned that bypassing legal procedures could lead to confusion and disorder, stressing the need to strictly follow the law to avoid complications.
