On July 30, 2024, Bilal Azhar Kiyani, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), introduced the Election Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the National Assembly of Pakistan. This bill proposes significant changes to the current electoral regulations, specifically addressing the status of independent candidates and the allocation of reserved seats.
The key provision of the proposed amendment is that individuals who contest general elections as independent candidates will be barred from altering their affidavit to declare affiliation with any political party after the election. The bill stipulates that if an independent candidate later submits a notarized statement claiming affiliation with a political party, such a candidate shall not be considered as representing that party.
Additionally, the bill proposes that political parties failing to submit their list of reserved seats to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) within the specified time frame will forfeit their eligibility for these seats. This measure aims to ensure timely and accurate submission of party lists to the ECP, promoting greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The bill has been met with strong opposition, prompting National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to refer it to the relevant standing committee for further review. If enacted, the amendments will take effect immediately and will be applied retroactively from the commencement of the Elections Act,2017.
hese proposed changes are expected to impact the dynamics of political candidacy and party representation in Pakistan’s elections, potentially leading to significant shifts in how independent candidates and political parties navigate the electoral landscape.
