Elections Act 2017 Amendments Pakistan were passed by Parliament, bringing significant changes to election laws, judicial authority, and the disclosure of lawmakers’ assets.
Shift to Federal Constitutional Court
Under the approved legislation, multiple sections of the Elections Act have been revised to replace references to the Supreme Court with the Federal Constitutional Court. These changes apply to key provisions related to election disputes, appeals, and legal interpretation of election laws.
The amended law expands the role of the Federal Constitutional Court in resolving election-related disputes and clarifies its jurisdiction across various legal forums, including matters previously handled by the Supreme Court.
Changes to Election Dispute Provisions
The National Assembly approved amendments to sections dealing with election petitions and disputes, formally assigning a defined role to the Federal Constitutional Court. The revisions aim to streamline legal processes under the elections framework and establish clearer jurisdictional authority for constitutional and electoral matters.
Asset Disclosure Rules Revised
A major part of the amendment addresses the publication of asset declarations of members of the National Assembly and Senate. Under the revised law, the Speaker of the National Assembly or the Chairman of the Senate may withhold public disclosure of a member’s assets if there is a threat to personal safety or security.
According to the amendment, asset details may remain confidential for up to one year, provided that complete and accurate information is submitted confidentially to the Election Commission of Pakistan. Any decision to withhold disclosure must be supported by written reasons and announced through a formal ruling in the respective house.
Privacy and Security Emphasized
The stated objective of the legislation is to strike a balance between transparency and the protection of fundamental rights. While asset disclosure is recognized as essential for accountability, lawmakers noted that unrestricted publication could pose security risks to elected representatives and their families. The amendments therefore emphasize personal safety and privacy alongside transparency.
Parliamentary Proceedings and Opposition Views
The bill was presented by a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party and approved following the presentation of a report by the relevant parliamentary committee. During the debate, opposition members raised concerns about transferring certain election-related matters from the Supreme Court to the Federal Constitutional Court.
In response, the federal law minister stated that several constitutional and election-related cases have previously been heard by constitutional courts and argued that jurisdiction should be clearly defined rather than divided across multiple judicial forums.
Next Legislative Steps
Following approval by the National Assembly, the bill will now be presented to the Senate for consideration. If passed, the amendments will further reshape Pakistan’s electoral legal structure, particularly in relation to judicial oversight and the handling of lawmakers’ financial disclosures.
The developments mark one of the most comprehensive updates to the Elections Act since its enactment in 2017, with implications for future electoral processes and constitutional litigation in the country.
This report is based on publicly available information and parliamentary proceedings.