POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

The Election Act 2017 Amendment Bill was introduced and sent to the relevant Standing Committee for further consideration. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, saw Legi Member Bilal Azhar Kiyani present the proposed amendments, which sparked significant opposition from various members of the House.
The proposed Election Act Amendment Bill includes two major changes to the Election Act of 2017:
First Amendment: Section 66 of the Election Act 2017 will be amended to stipulate that the declaration of affiliation with a political party cannot be changed once made. This aims to ensure greater stability and clarity in party affiliations.
Second Amendment: Section 104 will be revised to state that parties failing to submit a list of reserved seats to the Election Commission will not be granted reserved seats. This amendment is intended to streamline the process and ensure compliance with election regulations.
The bill has been forwarded to the concerned Standing Committee for detailed review. Upon approval, both amendments are set to come into effect immediately.
Opposition members in the National Assembly voiced their dissent, raising slogans and expressing strong objections to the proposed changes. Their concerns center around potential implications for political flexibility and the fairness of reserved seat allocations.
Election Amendment Act 2024, which details these proposed changes. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it will be closely watched by political analysts and stakeholders for its potential impact on the electoral landscape in Pakistan.