Parliament passes the Election (Amendment) Bill 2023

National AssemblyParliament passes the Election (Amendment) Bill 2023

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Parliament in its Joint Session passed “The Elections (Amendment) Bill 2023” on Wednesday.

The bill empowers the caretaker government to take actions or decisions regarding existing bilateral or multilateral agreements or the projects already initiated under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act 2017, the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act 2022 and the Privatization Commission Ordinance 2000.

The Federal Minister for Lawa Azam Nazir Tarar said that amendments in the Section 230 of the Elections Act 2017 are aimed to ensure that the decisions already taken by the Federal Cabinet do not face any hiatus.

The Election (Amendment) Bill 2023 envisages measures aimed at ensuring timely compilation and announcement of election results.

Under the bill, the President Officer shall immediately take a snapshot of the result of the count and as soon as connectivity is available and it is practicable sent it electronically or through other appropriate technologies to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Returning Officer (RO) before sending the original documents under Section 90.

The Returning Officer shall compile complete provisional results as early as possible and shall communicate these results electronically to the ECP.

In case the results are incomplete by 02.00 am on the day immediately following the polling day, the Returning Officer shall communicate to the Election Commission provisional results as consolidated till that time along with reasons for the delay. In writing, while listing the polling stations from which results are awaited and thereafter shall send the complete provisional results as soon as compiled but not later than 10:00 am.

The bill further provides that officials of law enforcement agencies shall be posted for security duties outside the polling stations but in an emergency may be called inside by the President Officer to restore order and peaceful polling.

Under the bill, the contesting candidates may use their existing bank accounts for election expenses.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Mian Raza Rabbani while addressing the Joint Session of the Parliament reiterated that proposed amendments in section 230 of Elections Act regarding caretaker setup as it stood yesterday was opposed but I am grateful to the Law Minister for revisiting the proposed amendment in light of reservations expressed by a number of Parliamentarians.

Senator Raza Rabbani remarked that it is a beauty of the Parliament that the government is guided by the Wisdom of the House.

Mian Raza Rabbani said that though the proposed amendment has been modified but I still feel that no matter what, these powers should not be with caretaker government.

Mati
Mati
Mati-Ullah is the Online Editor For DND. He is the real man to handle the team around the Country and get news from them and provide to you instantly.

Must read

Recent News

As we arrived at our hostel after arranging a session on NON-VIOLENCE, I received a call from @Qamaryousafzai with the news of the violent clash at #QAU. This menace of violence is destroying the country, society, and everything. It needs to be cured.

Violent clashes between Punjabi and Pashtun Student Councils at Quaid-e-Azam University, firing scenes, and...

0
Monitoring Desk: The violent clashes between Punjabi and Pashtun Student Councils at Quaid-e-Azam University were reported last night. Students who are impartial in this...
Input tax adjustment system causing tax fraud worth Rs3,400 billion to Pakistan

Input tax adjustment system causing tax fraud worth Rs3,400 billion to Pakistan

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has confirmed that the Input tax adjustment system causing tax fraud worth Rs3,400 billion in Pakistan.Addressing a...
Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Falih met COAS Gen Asim Munir

Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Falih met COAS Gen Asim Munir

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: His Excellency Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a high-level government cum business delegation,...

Islamabad Traffic Plan for SCO Summit

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Special traffic plan for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Islamabad. Alternative routes have been arranged for the convenience of citizens.During the SCO...
New trajectory of Pak-Saudi Relations requires responsible moves from Pakistan

The new trajectory of Pak-Saudi relations requires responsible moves from Pakistan

0
DND ReportA popular Eastern European saying is, “If you have buyers, you will be no more a beggar, even if you are a trash...
Advertisement