New Election Rules
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has proposed 18 significant changes to election rules under its powers granted by Section 239 of the Elections Act, 2017. These changes primarily revolve around financial matters, candidature, and result compilation.
Under the amended laws, political parties must disclose individuals donating one million rupees or more for election expenses. Additionally, the ECP will introduce a new Form 69 for political party financing and include Forms 67 and 68 for election expenses.
Candidates must reveal immovable properties, both domestic and foreign, and provide details of assets acquired. They must also disclose their vehicles, jewelry, bank accounts, and cash holdings.
Candidates will publish their campaign financing and election expenses on the website and submit them to returning officers along with their election symbols.
The ECP has set a deadline of 15 days for objections to the amended rules, with political parties or candidates allowed to raise objections until October 7.
The rules for election result reporting has been modified to ensure timely reporting and the handling of postal ballots. Candidates must open separate bank accounts for election expenses, and the ECP will not accept joint accounts.
Candidates will pay a petition filing fee of Rs1 lakh, with the ECP making decisions within 180 days. A fine of Rs10,000 to Rs50,000 will apply to those seeking adjournments during hearings.
Political parties has to required to inform the ECP 15 days before intra-party elections and submit details seven days after the election. The government has set the election application fee at Rs100,000, and candidates must deposit it in the government treasury. This fee is non-refundable.
Candidates who allow others to spend on their election expenses must provide detailed records, including the financier’s identity and sources of income.
