PML-N TAKES U-TURN ON ELECTION ACT AMENDMENT BILL
Amendment Bill Passed On Majority Vote, While Opposition and Abstentions
The Election Act Amendment Bill has been accepted by a majority in the decisive parliamentary committee session. The session, presided over by Rana Iradat Sharif commenced with an unwavering argumentation from the PTI members and wrathful abstentions of JUI-F. PPP members remained absent from the meeting.
After that, Bilal Azhar Kayani gave a detailed brief to the bill and explained about the proposed changes in Election Act 2017. The session saw heated exchanges especially between two members of the opposition Ali Muhammad Khan and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazir Tarar.
LESSONS from the Session
Senator Azam Nazir Tarar spoke in favour of the bill, saying that amendments are according to the constitution and laws. On the other hand, PTI members forcefully opposed it. The JUI-F's Shahida Akhtar Ali questioned the role played by a 'confused' election commission while calling for an exhaustive review of amendments.
Ali Muhammad Khan - The election commission has become a controversial institution through their political manipulation. The ECP secretary did not comment on whether the bill could have retrospective effect, saying it is for Ministry of Law and Parliament.
Outcome of the Vote and the Way Forward
The bill was approved by the committee 6-4. Shahida Akhtar Ali abstained due to fears of the bill's retroactive repercussions. PPP being absent from the meeting raised an eyebrow.
The National Assembly has to approve the Election Act Amendment Bill before it becomes law and is presented for President Assad's approval.
The Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024 - Introduced
At the same time a bill called the Second Amendment to Elections Act 2024 was moved in National Assembly. This bill aims at preventing independent candidates from becoming members of political parties after a spicific interval
During the session, presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, a bill was presented in the house by PML-N MNA Bilal Kayani. It will seek an amendment to Sections 66 and 104 of the Elections Act 2017 which are aimed at not allowing independent candidates to join political parties within a time period provided in Constitution as well through court judgment.
Changes to the Second Amendment Bill including
The bill has even proposed that independent candidates should not be allowed to belong to any political party during this period. It also requires an obligation on those parties whose list of reserved seats is not submitted within time limit to disallow its aforesaid numbers. In addition, candidates will be treated as independents if they at any time file an affidavit of party affiliation with a returning officer.
These proposed modifications reflect just how the landscape of elections continues to change with regular efforts toward improving the integrity and transparency in what many feel is a broken system. The upcoming debates to be held in the National Assembly will play a key role in shaping what these final legislative adjustments end up being.
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