The Senate of Pakistan, chaired by its Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, has approved the Election Act Amendment Bill 2024, unanimously marking an important development in the electoral reform agenda in the country.
The Islamabad Municipal Elections Amendment Bill was also passed by majority vote, although it created opposition and uproar during the session.
The session, which took place on Tuesday, included a courtroom presentation of both bills by Federal Law Minister Nazir Tarar.
The Election Act Amendment Bill 2024 aims to amend and improve the electoral system or framework of Pakistan and was unanimously passed by the Senate, indicating consensus among lawmakers of the necessity for these reforms.
The Islamabad Municipal Elections Amendment Bill passed by majority vote, also related to an overhaul of the local government system in Islamabad.
This bill is important in order to change the number of wards in the Union Council from six to nine, which will require the Election Commission of Pakistan to undertake new delimitations of the district. This process of re-districting could potentially delay the local elections in the federal capital by one month.
Earlier, the National Assembly of Pakistan had passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Amendment Bill as part of creating the local government. Next, the bills need to be signed into law by President Asif Zardari.
After the changes, the changes will provide a basis for the future local elections in Islamabad. The changes are designed to improve the conduct of electoral representation and governance in the federal capital.
