Consensus evolved on 80pc electoral reforms: Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said that consensus has evolved on 80 per cent electoral reforms including amalgamation of 13 constitutional amendments and six election acts in order to make the future electoral process more transparent in the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Dar, who also heads the electoral reforms committee, said several amendments still stand unsettled, on which the sub-committee will submit a report after further working towards reaching a consensus on them also.

He said completion of 80 per cent work on poll reforms in just one year was a big achievement. Drafting of the constitutional amendments in this regard has already been ordered, said the minister.

Dar said the national census is likely to begin in March or April next year.

Chairman of the sub-committee on electoral reforms, Zahid Haimd said on the occasion that under the new laws, fresh polls would be held within 120 days of completion of local government tenures.

Besides retired judges, on-service and retired public service officials and technocrats can be appointed as members and head of the Election Commission after the passage of the new election laws, he said.

Hamid said more than 10 per cent changes in delimitation of constituencies would not be allowed under the proposed reforms. Members of the Parliament would be bound to submit their tax returns, he added.

Gap between two consecutive polling stations would be one kilometre instead of two, he told the media. He added that election tribunals will have to announce verdicts after holding incessant hearings on poll petitions.

“Election Commission will possess the authority of declaring the election null and void in constituency that receives less than 10 per cent votes.”