ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to propose amendments to the Constitution and electoral laws in view of the upcoming general elections, with the aim of strengthening the country’s electoral framework and aligning it with international best practices.
As part of the initiative, the commission has reactivated its Legal Reforms Committee (LRC), which will comprise senior officials of the ECP along with representatives from the legal sector and other relevant sectors.
According to sources, the committee will review the legal and constitutional deficiencies that emerged during the 2024 general elections. Based on its assessment, it will make recommendations to address the identified gaps and strengthen the electoral framework.
The ECP will also undertake a broader review of the legal framework governing elections to make electoral laws more effective, modern and responsive to evolving democratic needs.
According to sources, the electoral monitoring body will prepare recommendations for amendments to the Constitution, the Electoral Law of 2017 and the Electoral Rules of 2017.
The review will focus on identifying gaps and weaknesses in the current legal framework, while ensuring that the country’s electoral laws conform to globally recognized best practices. The proposed recommendations will be elevated to the relevant forums for consideration once the committee completes its evaluation.
The commission has set a target of completing its review of constitutional provisions related to elections by 2026, while the review of the Electoral Law of 2017 and the Electoral Rules of 2017 is expected to be completed by December 2026.
In addition, the electoral supervisor will prepare proposals to harmonize local government laws with the Electoral Law of 2017 and the Electoral Rules of 2017. He also plans to present his opinion on any new local government legislation within three months of its enactment.
The ECP said the objective of the exercise is to ensure a transparent, fair and uniform electoral process by updating the legal framework in line with evolving democratic requirements and changing circumstances.
