The proposed committee will include members from both Houses of Parliament and recommend legal and technological changes to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

The National Assembly on Friday passed a motion to establish a parliamentary committee comprising members of both Houses to recommend electoral reforms aimed at ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary moved the motion under Rule 244B of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.

Under the motion, the Speaker of the National Assembly will constitute the committee in consultation with the Chairman of the Senate and leaders of parliamentary parties.

Committee to represent parliamentary parties

The committee will include representatives from all parliamentary parties in proportion to their representation in Parliament.

The motion also authorises the National Assembly Speaker to replace any committee member at the request of the leader of the parliamentary party concerned.

The arrangement is intended to ensure participation from across the political spectrum as lawmakers consider changes to the country’s electoral framework.

Focus on technology and legislative changes

The committee will recommend reforms to improve the conduct of elections and strengthen transparency. Its responsibilities will include considering the adoption of the latest available technology for conducting elections.

It will also prepare draft legislation, including proposed constitutional amendments where necessary, as part of its work on electoral reform.

The motion allows the committee to establish subcommittees if required to examine specific issues or support its broader deliberations.

Report to be submitted to Parliament

The committee will submit its report to Parliament within the timeframe specified by the Speaker after the notification constituting the committee is issued.

The quorum for committee meetings has been set at one-fourth of its total membership, allowing proceedings to take place when the required proportion of members is present.

The committee’s recommendations are expected to provide a framework for considering changes to electoral laws, procedures and technology, with the stated objective of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan.