CEC Raja alleges federal govt wants to 'sabotage' Islamabad local govt polls

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has accused the federal government of attempting to undermine the upcoming local government elections in Islamabad. The elections are scheduled to take place on December 20, following the expiration of the last local government term in February 2021. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had planned to conduct the polls within 120 days of the previous term's end, but the process was delayed due to delimitation efforts and postponements.

During a recent hearing, Raja stated that the federal government had ordered teachers not to work during the Islamabad local government polls. Raja questioned where the ECP would bring staff from, highlighting the federal government's alleged attempt to sabotage the elections. He emphasized that the local government elections would proceed as planned and that the Commission would take appropriate action against those found in violation of the code of conduct.

ECP Secretary Omar Hamid mentioned that a candidate from the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) had filed an application accusing Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and his father, Farooq Tarar, of visiting NA-77 and violating the code of conduct. If found guilty, Attaullah Tarar could face a two-year prison sentence. The ECP has issued a show cause notice to Tarar and is awaiting his response.