ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani has given his assent to the Election Act bill on Monday, bringing about significant reforms to the electoral process. The bill, which received parliamentary approval, has now become an act of parliament with Sanjrani’s assent.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the reduction of the term of disqualification from a lifetime ban to five years. This change will have implications for individuals barred from participating in elections. Additionally, the bill transfers the authority of announcing the date for elections from the president to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Sadiq Sanjrani Approves Finance Bill 2023
Prior to signing the Election Act bill, Sanjrani had already approved the Finance Bill 2023, which was passed by the National Assembly on a previous day. The budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024, with a total outlay of Rs14.48 trillion, focuses on promoting economic stability, sustainable and inclusive growth, as well as curbing inflationary pressures.
Acting President Sanjrani assumed his role in the absence of President Dr. Arif Alvi, who had traveled to Saudi Arabia with his family to perform Hajj. As per constitutional provisions, the chairman of the upper house of parliament takes on the role of acting president in the absence of the president.
Sanjrani, holding the distinction of being the youngest Senate chairman at the age of 39 and the first one to be elected from Balochistan, is currently in the capital of Balochistan due to a personal matter.
The Election Act bill brings important changes to the disqualification period for parliamentarians under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution. It stipulates that the disqualification should not exceed five years if the punishment is not specifically mentioned in the constitution. Furthermore, the bill states that a convict would become eligible to become a member of parliament after completing the assigned punishment.
Another bill proposing an amendment to Section 232 of the Election Act, which relates to the disqualification of lawmakers, was also tabled in the Senate. It aims to align the eligibility criteria, disqualification process, and punishment with Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. The bill further suggests that individuals convicted by the Supreme Court and high court would face a five-year disqualification starting from the date of the verdict.
The Senate also passed an amendment to Sections 57 and 58 of the Election Act, which withdraws the power of the president to announce the election date. The responsibility will now lie with the Election Commission of Pakistan. Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that this change empowers the Election Commission to announce the date for general elections.
Former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed his support for the bill, stating that it serves to safeguard the future generations of Pakistan. The Election Act’s amendments aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and democratic processes within the country’s electoral system.
