ECP plans sweeping electoral law reforms

Committee to plug legal gaps before the next general elections

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 comprise senior ECP officials along with representatives from the legal and other relevant wings.

According to sources, the committee will review the legal and constitutional shortcomings that surfaced during the 2024 general elections. Based on its assessment, it will formulate recommendations to address the identified gaps and strengthen the electoral framework.

The ECP will also undertake a broader review of the legal framework governing elections to make electoral laws more effective, modern and responsive to evolving democratic needs.

According to sources, the polls supervisory body will prepare recommendations for amendments to the Constitution, the Elections Act, 2017, and the Election Rules, 2017.

The review will focus on identifying gaps and weaknesses in the current legal framework while ensuring that country's electoral laws are brought in line with globally recognized best practices. The proposed recommendations will be submitted to the relevant forums for consideration after the committee completes its assessment.

The commission has set a target of completing its review of constitutional provisions related to elections by 2026, while the review of the Elections Act, 2017, and the Election Rules, 2017, is expected to be finalized by December 2026.

In addition, the election supervisor will prepare proposals to harmonize local government laws with the Elections Act, 2017, and the Election Rules, 2017. It also plans to submit its opinion on any new local government legislation within three months of its enactment.

The ECP said the objective of the exercise is to ensure a transparent, fair and uniform electoral process by updating the legal framework in line with evolving democratic requirements and changing circumstances.