ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to propose amendments to the constitution and electoral laws ahead of the next general elections with the aim of strengthening the country’s electoral framework and aligning it with international best practices.
As part of the initiative, the commission has reactivated its Legal Reforms Committee (LRC), which will include senior ECP officials along with representatives from the legal and other relevant wings.
According to sources, the committee will review the legal and constitutional deficiencies that surfaced during the 2024 general elections. Based on its assessment, it will formulate recommendations to address the gaps identified and strengthen the electoral framework.
The ECP will also undertake a broader review of the legal framework for elections to make electoral laws more effective, modern and responsive to changing democratic needs.
According to sources, the polls supervisory body will prepare recommendations for changes to the constitution, the Electoral Act, 2017 and the Electoral Rules, 2017.
The review will focus on identifying gaps and weaknesses in the current legal framework while ensuring that the country’s electoral laws are brought into line with globally recognized best practices. The proposed recommendations will be submitted to the relevant forums for consideration after the committee has completed its assessment.
The Commission has set a target of completing its review of constitutional provisions relating to elections by 2026, while the review of the Electoral Act, 2017 and the Electoral Rules, 2017 is expected to be completed by December 2026.
In addition, the election watchdog will prepare proposals to harmonize local government legislation with the Electoral Act, 2017, and the Electoral Rules, 2017. It also plans to issue its opinion on any new local government legislation within three months of its adoption.
The ECP said the purpose of the exercise is to ensure a transparent, fair and uniform electoral process by updating the legal framework in accordance with changing democratic requirements and changing circumstances.
