NA passes Elections Amendment Bill allowing confidentiality of lawmakers’ assets

The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Elections Amendment Bill, 2026, bringing immediate changes to the Elections Act, 2017. The amendments, presented by Member of National Assembly Shazia Marri, include modifications across multiple sections of the Act.

Under the bill, Section 9 of the Elections Act has been updated to replace the word “Supreme” with “Federal Constitutional Court,” while Section 66 now also falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Constitutional Court. Sections 104 and 104A have similarly been amended to involve the Federal Constitutional Court in election disputes.

A significant change was introduced to Section 138, giving the Speaker of the National Assembly or the Chairman of the Senate the authority to withhold the public disclosure of lawmakers’ assets and liabilities if publishing such information poses a serious threat to their life or safety. The ruling must be issued in writing by the Speaker or Chairman.

According to the amendment, details of assets can be kept confidential for a maximum period of one year. However, complete and accurate statements of assets and liabilities must still be submitted confidentially to the Election Commission.