Parliament Joint Session nods ‘election bill’ empowering caretaker setup

Latest Jul, 26 2023
Parliament Joint Session nods ‘election bill’ empowering caretaker setup
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ISLAMABAD: Joint session of Parliament passed Election Act Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to empower caretaker Prime Minister despite opposition from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Amendment to Clause 2A of Section 230 of Election Act which was also opposed by PPP leader Raza Rabbani empowered caretaker Prime Minister.

Following passage of Election Act Bill, caretaker PM will have increased financial powers, authorised to make necessary decisions for economy, international organisations and foreign governments and enter into agreements. Moreover, joint session also approved an amendment to allow candidates to nominate three polling agents. Each candidate will be able to nominate three polling agents at single polling station, with only one polling agent remaining inside polling station. Presiding officer is now mandated to display list of voters outside polling station.

ECP will be bound to publish details of postal ballots issued before elections on its website. If there is difference of 5 percent in votes between losing and winning candidates, recount will be conducted.

After passage of Election Act, presiding officer will be required to immediately send copy of result to Election Commission and returning officer.  In case of no internet facility, presiding officer will be expected to personally deliver actual result and provide results by 2am. Delays must be explained with concrete reason.Election Act Bill also includes an obligation for Nadra to provide record of new identity cards to Election Commission.

In addition to educational qualification, Senate technocrat seat will now require 20 years of relevant experience.

Constituencies will be announced four months before election schedule and number of registered voters in all constituencies will be equal. Complaints against delimitation can be made within 30 days.

Presiding officer will be bound to provide voting facilities to disabled, election tribunal will decide on petition filed by candidate within 180 days the decision on violation of code of conduct should be taken within 7 days instead of 15 days.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 26 2023

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National Courier
National Courier https://www.dailynationalcourier.com/author/national-courier
Daily National Courier is a leading morning English newspaper of twelve pages covering all international and national political developments on 24/7 basis.

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