The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to provide details about its internal expenses and the overall costs of the February 8 nationwide elections to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.
During a session chaired by Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand on Tuesday, the committee requested information on the salaries of ECP members and employees, their travel expenses, and the expenditures for the 2024 general elections. However, ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan sent a letter to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, stating that the Senate committee was overstepping its authority by questioning the commission’s expenditures, which are charged against the Federal Consolidated Fund.
The letter emphasized that the ECP, as an independent constitutional body, is not required to provide the requested information. The ECP clarified that it is not part of the federal or provincial governments and is, therefore, beyond the jurisdiction of the Senate committee on parliamentary affairs. Additionally, the letter noted that the budget allocated to the ECP is not subject to a vote in the National Assembly for inclusion in the Annual Budget Statement, as outlined in Article 82(1) of the Constitution.
Despite this, the ECP expressed its willingness to assist the parliamentary body with legislative matters related to election laws and constitutional provisions, as per its defined role.
In response, Senator Mohmand expressed disappointment, noting that the ECP was asserting it was not accountable to the parliament, which established it. He added that the Senate committee has the authority to summon individuals, including the chief election commissioner and ECP officials, and to review documents and records.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Mohsin Aziz urged the committee to reject the ECP’s letter, reminding members that the commission’s representatives had previously appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs suggested seeking guidance from the Senate chairman on the matter, stating that the ministry is only responsible for legislative affairs related to the ECP.
In November 2022, the ECP approved over Rs47 billion for organizing general elections. However, the cost of holding elections nationwide in phases increased to Rs61.805 billion, up from Rs47.417 billion, with the commission requesting an additional Rs14.388 billion from the Finance Ministry in January last year.
