March polls: Four minority members to join Senate this year

In March, 50 senators will complete their tenure but, to include minority members, polls will be held for 54 seats.

ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the country’s history, four minority members will join the upper house of parliament following Senate elections scheduled for March this year.

Although ten seats are reserved in the National Assembly for minority members, there is no representation for minorities in the 100-member Senate. However, in August last year, President Zardari signed an amendment in the Senate (Election) Rules 1975, increasing the number of seats in the Senate to 104.

The step was taken under the 18^th constitutional amendment, which stipulates that each provincial assembly will elect one minority member to the Senate. Two elected minority members will retire after completing three years while the remaining two will complete a full six-year term under the rules of the legislative body according to which one-half of its members retire after three years while the other half completes a full term of six years.

In March 2012, 50 senators are completing their stipulated tenure. However, to include the minority members, polls will be held for 54 seats. According to an official within the Senate Secretariat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, most senators retiring in March belong to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid. Twenty of the party’s 21 members will be completing their term.

Among other parties, the official said, five of Pakistan Peoples Party’s 27, seven of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl’s 10, one of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s seven, one of Awami National Party’s six and three of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s six members will retire. One senator of the Balochistan National Party-Awami’s three and one of the National Party’s two will also retire. All three senators of Jamaat-e-Islami, one each from Jamhoori Watan Party, PML-Functional, PPP-Sherpao and Pakhtunkhwa Awami Milli Party will also finish their term. Four of Fata’s eight senators will also retire.

Polls will be held on seven general, two technocrat, two women and one non-Muslim seat from each province, four from Fata, and one general and one technocrat seat from Islamabad.