NA authorises Speaker to constitute committee for electoral reforms

Committee shall present its report to the parliament within 3 months from date of the notification of the committee.

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday authorised its Speaker to constitute a committee to evaluate shortcomings of previous elections and make recommendations for electoral reforms to ensure that elections are held in a free, fair and transparent manner.

The committee was made in pursuance of the Prime Minister's letter dated June 10, 2014, which called upon the Speaker to constitute a Parliamentary Committee.

The House under rule 244(B) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 authorised the Speaker National Assembly in consultation with the Chairman Senate and leaders of the Parliamentary Parties in the House, to constitute the said committee comprising members from all the Parliamentary Parties in proportion to their representation in the Parliament.

Accordingly, the Speaker may replace any member of the committee on request of the Leader of the Parliamentary party concerned.

The scope of the work of the committee will include, but shall not be limited to, making recommendations in respect of electoral reforms, required to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, including adoption of the latest technology, available for holding elections, along with draft legislation including constitutional amendments if required for this purpose.

Quorum to constitute a sitting parliamentary committee for electoral reforms shall be one fourth of the total membership. The committee may make rules for regulating its procedure.

The committee shall present its report to the parliament within three months from the date of the notification of the committee.