President Approves Electoral Reforms Bill 2017

President Mamnoon Hussain has signed the Election Reforms Bill-2017. The bill has already been approved by the National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan.

Earlier, The National Assembly passed “The Election Bill 2017” with a majority vote.

The bill was moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid to amend, consolidate and unify laws related to the conduct of elections. The bill states that every citizen, not being in the service of government of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party or be otherwise associated with a political party or take part in political activities or be elected as an office-bearer of a political party.

It is worth mentioning that the bill removes the limitation which prevented an ineligible person from being a part of a political party.

The House also passed two other bills. These are “The Right of Access to Information Bill, 2017”  and “The Auditor General’s (Functions, Powers and Terms and Conditions of service) (Amendment) Bill, 2017”.

The House has now been adjourned to meet again today at 5 in the evening.

The Interior Minister of State, Talal Chaudhary, has defended Election Bill 2017 saying amendments in the act were made as per democratic norms.

Talking to the media persons in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said no amendment has been made which does not exist in other democratic countries.

The Minister said that the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has the right to enter politics as per law and democratic norms.

It is worth mentioning that the president has signed election bill 2017 into law after its passage from both houses of the parliament.