Dual nationality: ECP meets to discuss matter of disqualified MPs

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in a high level meeting, has decided to send the matter of initiating criminal proceedings against the 11 disqualified assembly members to the provincial election commission, and also mulled action against Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik for forgery in the dual nationality case, Geo News reported.

The meeting was chaired by ECP chief Fakhruddin G Ibrahim in Islamabad today where the matters pertaining to the disqualification of 11 parliamentarians and assembly members were discussed. The members mulled further action against the dual nationals and the seats that have fell vacant post disqualification.

According to sources, the members decided to send the matter of initiating criminal proceedings against the disqualified lawmakers having in the dual nationality case to the respective provincial election commission.

Majority of the ECP members backed the action against Rehman Malik under Section 78 of the People’s Representation Act 1976, for ‘corrupt practices’, and that there was no need to wait for the reference to initiate action against him.

If section 83 of the Act is also applied and if Rehman Malik is convicted, he could face up to three years in prison and a fine up to Rs 5000 including being barred from contesting elections for the next five years.

The matter will be discussed again in the ECP meeting this afternoon.

It is noteworthy that earlier the Supreme Court of Pakistan had disqualified 11 other parliamentarians, both provincial and national, in the dual nationality case.

A reference will be sent by the ECP to all the provincial election commissioners to also take action against the other 11 parliamentarians, by registering forgery cases against them.