Polling for the first-ever Local Government elections in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is currently underway.
According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Army, Rangers and FC soldiers have been deployed to assist the Police.
Polling began at 7:00 in the morning and will continue till 5:30 in the evening without break.
Islamabad, which now has a population of around two million, has been divided into 50 union councils for the polls.
According to the ECP, 2,407 candidates are taking parts in these elections. There are 972 independents, 506 of PML-N, 479 of PTI, 164 of Jamaat-i-Islami and 81 of the PPP.
In the first phase of polls in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), voters will directly elect 600 representatives – 12 from each UC – while the second phase will see the elected representatives form a 66-member MC.
Over 684,000 voters will elect their representatives in, as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is expected to face a challenge only from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).