The approval of an amendment bill related to the Pakistan Election Act by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday this week and the statements of the government members in the House during this time have created a new controversy regarding the specific seats of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). is given
The reason for this controversy is the wording of the bill approved by the Standing Committee that ‘the declaration of affiliation to a political party cannot be changed’.
It should be noted that after approval from the committee, the amendment bill was to be presented in the National Assembly today, but it could not be presented today.
In case of approval from the National Assembly, the bill will be presented in the Senate and after approval from there, the President of Pakistan will sign it and convert this bill into law.
This amendment in the Pakistan Election Act came at a time when the Supreme Court’s decision to give specific seats to PTI came out.
In such a situation, after PTI’s criticism of this amendment, some political observers are also questioning whether the purpose of this bill is to deprive PTI of certain seats. The fear is also expressed that this bill may cause confrontation between the government and the judiciary.
PTI has accused the government of trying to close the doors of Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s acquisition of certain seats.
In such a situation, the question is also important in its place why the federal government is afraid of PTI’s efforts to get specific seats, and can this amendment be applied from the past?
What is in the Pakistan Election Act Amendment Bill?
Two amendments have been introduced in the Pakistan Election Act 2024.
The first amendment was introduced in section 66 of the Pakistan Election Act, 2017 and the second amendment was introduced in section 104 of the Pakistan Election Act, 2017. The First Amendment states that a member of the Assembly cannot change his party certificate of affiliation to any political party.
In the second amendment, it is said that to obtain certain seats, a party must submit its list on time.
According to the Amendment Act 2024, both these amendments will come into force immediately after their approval.
PTI itself, including experts, says that after the approval of these amendments, it will be difficult for the party to get reserved seats because the bill will be applied ‘retrospectively’.
It should be noted that on July 12, in the case of the reserved seats, the full bench of the Supreme Court had written in a judgment that PTI has the right to take reserved seats for women and minorities.