National Assembly Passes Election Act Amendment Bill 2024

The National Assembly approved the Election Act Amendment Bill 2024 on Tuesday, introducing significant changes to the Elections Act 2017.

Key Amendments

The bill, presented by PML-N lawmaker Bilal Azhar Kiyani, aims to:

• Bar lawmakers from changing party affiliation after joining one within three days of winning an election
• Prevent parties that didn’t win a single seat in the election from being allotted reserved seats

Opposition Protests

The opposition protested the bill’s passage, tearing copies of the agenda.

Supreme Court Ruling

The legislation follows a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the PTI to receive reserved seats, dealing a blow to the ruling coalition.

Divided Court

A 13-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, made the decision with an 8-5 majority, overturning the Peshawar High Court’s order.

Implications

This amendment aims to bring stability to the political landscape by preventing party-hopping and ensuring reserved seats are allocated fairly.

A Step Towards Electoral Reform

The passage of this bill marks a significant step towards electoral reform in Pakistan, addressing concerns around party loyalty and seat allocation.

The Road to Electoral Reform

Pakistan’s electoral landscape has long been plagued by party-hopping and unfair seat allocation.

A History of Instability

Lawmakers have frequently switched parties, causing political instability and undermining the democratic process.

Supreme Court Intervention

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court intervened, allocating reserved seats to the PTI and setting a precedent for electoral reform.

Legislative Action

In response, the National Assembly introduced the Election Act Amendment Bill 2024, aiming to prevent party-hopping and ensure fair seat allocation.

A Step Towards Stability

The bill’s passage marks a significant step towards electoral reform, promoting political stability and accountability.

A New Era for Pakistani Politics

As the country moves forward, this legislation paves the way for a more robust and transparent democratic process.

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