Govt to consult opposition on election reforms committee

Transparency in the electoral process will strengthen the democracy, says National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser

ISLAMABAD:

Parliamentary committee on electoral reforms will be constituted after consultation with parliamentary leaders of various parties in the National Assembly and the Senate to bring transparency in electoral process, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser said on Thursday.

He said while speaking to Senator Shibli Faraz and Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry who called on him to discuss the letter written by Prime Minister Imran Khan to Qaiser regarding electoral reforms.

The NA speaker said that recent conduct of Senate elections had raised serious questions over the transparency of electoral process.

Happenings in this regard had necessitated revamping of the entire electoral process, he added.

Qaiser said the committee will be formed after consultation with the parliamentary leaders in the lower and upper house of parliament. "Transparency in the electoral process would strengthen the democracy and democratic institutions."

Read more: Imran sets ball rolling on electoral reforms

Senator Shibli said that the conduct of the Senate election had substantiated the apprehensions of the prime minister on election transparency.

The review of the electoral laws would ensure transparency in the future elections, he added.

Fawad said that the electoral reforms and use of latest technology will ensure transparency.

Meanwhile, Speaker Qaiser has also written a letter to all leaders of parliamentary parties, informing them about the decision of formulating committee to ensure free and fair elections “at all levels” in the country.

The official letter stated that the committee will be formed as soon as the list of parliamentary leaders in the Senate is finalised.