NA approves two amendments in Election Act 2017

Amidst a protest from PTI-led opposition benches, the government approved two amendments to the Election Act 2017 on Tuesday.

The development came after the Supreme Court ruling with an 8/5 majority on July 12, which had given reserved seats for women and minorities to PTI. 

The verdict said PTI-backed candidates, who had contested and won the February 8 elections as independents after their party was stripped of its election symbol, had joined the SIC as per the law.

It also said that in the 2024 general election, 39 candidates from PTI were confirmed as elected members according to Article 51 Provisions.

However, the combined bill of amendments was tabled by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) leaders Bilal Azhar Kiyani and Zaib Jaffar, which was approved by the majority of votes.

During the proceedings of the National Assembly, the opposition attempted to resist the bill and demonstrated protest before the bench of speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Two amendments were made to the bill in the Election Act 2017 are; a candidate who fails to submit a party certificate would be considered an Independent candidate.

Meanwhile, if the party does not submit a list of candidates for reserve seats within a given time, it will not be eligible to gain reserved seats.

At least 39 members of the lower house showed their affiliation with PTI, so far.

The recently approved bill changes Sections 66 and 104 of the Elections Act 2017.

Moreover, the new provision was added to the original legislation titled Section 104A, declaring that the affidavit of an independent candidate regarding joining a political party would prohibit him from withdrawing from the party.