Election bar exists on dual nationality holders: ECP
Election Commission official says law exists, but is not being implemented.
ISLAMABAD:
The Constitution barred people holding dual nationality from becoming parliamentarians, observed members of the Election Commission on Monday.
They were discussing the question of eligibility of holders of dual nationality from contesting elections under the amended Article 63-1 (c) of the Constitution, which bars a non-Pakistani national from taking part in elections.
Members of the commission, who met here under the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, observed that the law disqualified such people from being elected, or chosen as, and from being a member of the parliament, if “he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan or acquires the citizenship of a foreign state”.
There are a number of sitting members of parliament who hold dual nationality, and thus are liable to lose their seats.
Article 63-1 (c) was added to clauses relating to election qualification criteria under the 18th Amendment.
An official of the Election Commission said that there was no mechanism to implement the law, adding that the commission had no data regarding how many lawmakers held dual nationality.
He said the Peoples Representation Act needed to be amended so that a column could be added in nomination papers to seek information from aspiring candidates in this regard.
The sources said the meeting expressed its concern over the delay in verifying lawmakers’ academic degrees and observed that time should only be given to legislators accused of holding fake or invalid degrees “on merit”.
The commission ordered the authorities to accelerate the process of pressing charges against those holding questionable academic qualifications.
The commission held that a reference filed by Maulvi Iqbal Haider, seeking the disqualification of two Awami National Party senators for their remarks against high court judges was not maintainable.
Such a reference can only be referred to it by the chairman Senate, it said.
The commission deferred the matter of registration of six political parties until the next meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2011.
The Constitution barred people holding dual nationality from becoming parliamentarians, observed members of the Election Commission on Monday.
They were discussing the question of eligibility of holders of dual nationality from contesting elections under the amended Article 63-1 (c) of the Constitution, which bars a non-Pakistani national from taking part in elections.
Members of the commission, who met here under the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, observed that the law disqualified such people from being elected, or chosen as, and from being a member of the parliament, if “he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan or acquires the citizenship of a foreign state”.
There are a number of sitting members of parliament who hold dual nationality, and thus are liable to lose their seats.
Article 63-1 (c) was added to clauses relating to election qualification criteria under the 18th Amendment.
An official of the Election Commission said that there was no mechanism to implement the law, adding that the commission had no data regarding how many lawmakers held dual nationality.
He said the Peoples Representation Act needed to be amended so that a column could be added in nomination papers to seek information from aspiring candidates in this regard.
The sources said the meeting expressed its concern over the delay in verifying lawmakers’ academic degrees and observed that time should only be given to legislators accused of holding fake or invalid degrees “on merit”.
The commission ordered the authorities to accelerate the process of pressing charges against those holding questionable academic qualifications.
The commission held that a reference filed by Maulvi Iqbal Haider, seeking the disqualification of two Awami National Party senators for their remarks against high court judges was not maintainable.
Such a reference can only be referred to it by the chairman Senate, it said.
The commission deferred the matter of registration of six political parties until the next meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2011.