The National Assembly today passed the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024.

It was moved by Bilal Azhar Kayani. 

In his remarks, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said legislation is the prerogative of parliament and the bill is in accordance with spirit of the constitution.

Later, talking to newsmen outside National Assembly in Islamabad today, Convener of National Parliamentary Taskforce on Sustainable Development Goals Bilal Azhar Kayani said Elections Second Amendment Bill, 2024 passed by National Assembly will end ambiguity and provide more clarity regarding reserved seats.

He said government is thankful to the lawmakers for supporting this much needed Bill.

He expressed the hope that the Senate will also pass this bill after which it will become a law.

The bill provides for that no independent candidate shall exercise his right to join a political party at a subsequent stage after the period specified for the purpose in the Constitution and law. 

According to the bill, consent for joining of a political party by an independent returned candidate will be irrevocable. 

The Senate today passed “The Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024.” 

The bill was moved by Muhammad Tallal Chaudhry.

According to the statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, Articles 51 and 106 of the Constitution provide for allocation of seats to the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies respectively along with mechanism for the elections thereto and include that the independent returned candidate or candidates may duly join a political party within three days of the publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates. The Elections Act, 2017 and, rules made there under also provide for the right to independent returned candidate or candidates to duly join a political party at his consent.

Neither the Constitution nor the Elections Act, 20l7 provide for joining a political party by an independent returned candidate or candidates at subsequent stage when they have already exercised the option to join the political party at a point of time as specified in the Constitution.

To provide clarity in the 1aw in true spirit of the Constitution this bill has been designed to expressly provide for that no independent candidate or candidates shall exercise his or their right to join a political party at a subsequent stage after the period specified for the purpose in the Constitution and the 1aw.

Taking the floor, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said legislation is the sole prerogative of the Parliament. He said the bill is in accordance with the spirit of the constitution.

The House has now been adjourned to meet again on Friday at 10:30 a.m.