FBR officers will be placed at the disposal of the commission to look into entries on the nomination forms that relate to tax defaulters.
Voters in Pakistan and indeed anyone with an internet connection will soon be able to pore over the financial honesty of the people who want to become their elected representatives in the next polls.
While many democracies already have this level of transparency, this election commission is setting a historic precedent by deciding to make public the nomination forms of all candidates on its website. This will include mandatory information that they have provided on their financial details, including assets and tax records.
On Wednesday, the commission held a follow-up meeting with the heads of the agencies that will make this possible: the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and National Database and Registration Authority. They have to come up with a mechanism for electronic scrutiny, on-line sharing of information and verification of information in the nomination papers to be submitted by the contesting candidates for the upcoming general elections.
The commission has already decided to include new columns in the nomination forms to be filled with information on income, sources of income, and tax details for the past three years, etc. Moreover, district returning officers will be provided online information so they can check the credentials of contestants during the scrutiny of nomination papers.
An election official told The Express Tribune that making any changes in the format of the nomination papers was solely the domain of the commission under the Representation of People Act, 1976. And no further legislation is needed for the additional columns.
The SBP would be asked to provide data of loan defaulters and those who had their loans written off, an election commission spokesman said during Wednesday’s meeting, and the governor of the State Bank assured that his organisation would fully cooperate.
Likewise, the FBR chairman has said that they would offer the election commission all possible assistance with the verification of tax returns and assets and liabilities submitted by contesting candidates. He assured the election commission that the FBR could provide a detailed list of all tax defaulters within the timeframe.
A committee headed by the director-general of elections would make all the final changes to the nomination forms.
The nomination forms would be scanned and uploaded to the election commission’s website. FBR officers will be placed at the disposal of the commission to look into entries on the nomination forms that relate to tax defaulters and the FBR shall provide the returning officers details about tax defaulters.
NAB will provide lists of convicts, details of plea bargains.
The election commission will meet the authorities that will help identify contesting candidates who have not paid their utility bills over Rs10,000 for over six months, as of the time that they filed their nomination papers.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (13)
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@ahmad: U Absolutely don't make any sense!!
Indeed this is a good news for Pakistan!
Transparency is making public the actions of the government functionaries for scrutiny. The demand for change for EC functionaries will die down automatically as EC is developing the systems and yardsticks in this regards. Other government departments will also follow the same, democracy has started showing results. Independent EC; a gift of democracy through the courtesy of the parliament and maturity of politician.
A Peshawary.
Candidates should also be made to declare any foreign citizenship rights they have.
Isnt this the same elwction which was being aggresively attacked by imran khan and pti trolls.
@Jamshed: You are a great man. By saying, prosecute the corrupt and throw them in jail, the jailers must lose the keys and forget to feed them. Please accept my salutations and Salams
Viva! Bravo! Mubarak! Ole! This is a monumental and profound decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Please do not shy away from its full-blooded implementation. A 'full-blooded implementation will engender a full-blooded voting system that will ensure hard working and honest persons entering the Parliament to run the country.
To see the bitter and cynical effects it is already having, please see Qamar Zaman Kaira talking paradoxically to the press. "Sour grapes" Qamar, but the time is nigh when you freeloaders will have to accept the undeniable truth. Salams 2013
Why ONLY both PPP and PML-N are objecting to this move from Election Commission. If none of their candidate is guilty, they should welcome this move.
Let us see if ECP can survive this pressure ! ! ! ! !
Two thumbs up for the Election Commission! These candidates so committed to serving the people will now understand That is sacred public trust and not a license to steal!! Way to go ECP!
"The SBP would be asked to provide data of loan defaulters and those who had their loans written off, an election commission spokesman said during Wednesday’s meeting, and the governor of the State Bank assured that his organisation would fully cooperate"
If the CEC knows that a candidate has skeletons in the closet (theft/ cronyism/ supporting terrorist outfits), why would they even be allowed to be candidates? They should not be allowed to stand for office. Period! Infact, they should be prosecuted and thrown in jail.
A good move to allow the voter to see the real politician! It is important to see if the politician pays taxes or is somehow "exempt" while the average Pakistani pays all the time. It is important to see if the politician has had loans "written off" while the average Pakistani gets no such favor! It is important to see if politician has a real degree, for if fake degree, then Pakistani public might wonder what else the politician is lying about! MOST IMPORTANT, with such information available, Pakistani public can then see what the various media outlets do with it (or ignore it) to see the biases!
Leave not stone unturned to disqualify corrupt law makers. This is a historic opportunity to purge our assemblies off criminals. Don't be hesitant, from the PM all the down to a patwari, ANYONE can be disqualified and the ECP should use this power with impunity. It is the need of the hour. Not a step back!
Great step. Now I wonder if our so called law experts will call it ECP 'over-reach'? Because they don't want any institution enforcing the law.
Good job ECP. Dont get pressurized by anybody. Keep it up