Senate passes Election Act Amendment Bill amidst opposition protest

The Senate passed the Election Act Amendment Bill 2024 by a majority vote on Thursday, despite intense protests and criticism from the opposition.

Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the Election Act 2017 Amendment Bill 2024 in the Senate after its approval by the National Assembly. Opposition leader and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators opposed the bill.

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani warned the opposition to maintain decorum, stating, "Do not turn the Senate into the National Assembly. I will take action if this behaviour continues."

The amendment allows the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to appoint retired high court judges as tribunal members by amending Section 140 of the Election Act. PTI and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) members protested, tearing up copies of the bill and staging a walkout. However, Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar did not join the walkout, and the opposition returned shortly after.

Leader of the Opposition Shibli Faraz criticised the amendment, arguing that it was brought in to suit the ruling party. He stated that after ‘regime change’, PTI faced severe repression, including the confiscation of their election symbol and nomination papers.

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Faraz accused the government of trying to manipulate the election tribunals. "The current government does not want the election tribunals to operate independently," he said, adding that a significant portion of the Senate was incomplete due to the absence of representatives from one province.

Law Minister Tarar countered Faraz’s accusations, reminding him that PTI had passed 53 laws in an hour during their tenure. He emphasised that the amendment aimed to expedite the work of election tribunals.

PTI Senator Ali Zafar called the bill "malicious," claiming it would "murder democracy." He accused the Election Commission and powerful circles of seeking to maintain control by appointing retired judges of their choice. "This bill is an attempt to keep unelected individuals in power," he said.

Zafar further revealed a supposed conspiracy, stating that the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court had sent names of judges for tribunal appointments, but the Election Commission selected only four. He argued that the amendment was an attempt to circumvent judicial consultation and allow the Election Commission to appoint retired judges at will.

Despite the opposition’s protests, the bill was passed with a majority vote.