Changes in election laws: NA committees finalise recommendations

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committees on Law & Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Monday finalised their recommendations regarding changes to electoral laws for the empowerment of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and improvement in election process.

The joint meeting of the standing committees was held here headed by chairpersons Begum Nasim Akhtar Chaudhry and Syed Mumtaz Alam Gilani.

The committee proposed that no person or political party shall affix or paste posters, handbills or leaflets larger then than the sizes prescribed by the Election Commission, said a press release.

The committee also proposed the punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and fine which may extend to Rs 50,000 for the person found guilty for illegal practice in the elections.

The ECP had proposed a host of amendments, including changes to the Representation of the People’s Act 1976, election laws regarding women and the election expenses.

However, the slow working of the committees has drawn criticism from some political and social circles since the members of the National Assembly now only have four days to do any legislation required to empower the Election Commission of Pakistan and to improve the election laws before the end of the assembly’s term on March 15.

http://dawn.com/2013/03/11/changes-in-election-laws-na-committees-finalise-recommendations/