Islamabad – President Asif Ali Zardari has officially signed the Election Amendment Bill 2024 into law, following its approval by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The bill, now formally enacted as the Election Amendment Act, was signed by the President yesterday and is set to be gazetted today.
The bill faced intense scrutiny and opposition throughout the legislative process. After its passage, opposition members staged a vociferous protest, with slogans denouncing the bill. Leaders from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have accused the government of using the bill to undermine the Supreme Court and target their party.
The amendments come in response to a Supreme Court ruling on July 12, which mandated the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to allocate reserved seats to PTI. The new legislation introduces two significant changes:
- Party Affiliation Restriction: Section 66 of the Election Act 2017 has been amended to prevent members of the assembly from changing their party affiliation or certificate.
- Timely Submission of Candidate Lists: Section 104 of the Election Act 2017 has been revised to require political parties to submit their candidate lists on time to qualify for reserved seats.
The amendments take effect immediately, with the PTI leadership, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, challenging the new Act in the Supreme Court. A petition under Article 184/3 has been filed, naming the federal government and the ECP as respondents.
This legislative development has sparked a heated debate, with critics arguing that the bill could restrict political maneuverability and alter the dynamics of electoral competition.
For ongoing updates and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to our coverage.
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