Islamabad local bodies elections: nominations extended to 8 November, polling on 20 December

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a revised schedule for the Islamabad local bodies elections 2026. ARY News reported on Friday, 6 November, that the deadline for submitting nomination papers has been extended to 8 November, and that polling will take place on 20 December.

Revised schedule

What each stage means

Anyone who wants to contest must file nomination papers by the 8 November deadline. After the preliminary list on 10 November, scrutiny runs for six days. Candidates whose papers are rejected, and anyone objecting to an accepted candidate, have until 20 November to appeal, and the appellate authorities have until 25 November to rule. The final candidate list follows on 26 November, a day before the withdrawal deadline, and symbols are allotted on 28 November, which sets the ballot paper.

For voters in Islamabad

The ECP report does not list the number of seats or union councils, or polling station details. Voters should check their registration and polling station before polling day through the ECP's official channels, and keep their CNIC valid: you can check renewal and replacement charges on the NADRA fee calculator.

Separately, the ECP on the same day told members of parliament and the provincial assemblies to file their asset declarations by 31 December (see our report on the ECP asset declaration deadline).

This page will be updated if the ECP changes the dates again.