Names of 22 MNAs finalised for electoral reforms committee

Science and Technology Minister Zahid Hamid will lead a 33-member electoral reforms committee, likely to be notified by Monday, as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N party makes a renewed effort to defuse Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) August 14 rally against alleged rigging in last year’s election.

The House, under rule 244(B) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, authorised the speaker to constitute the committee in consultation with the senate chairman and leaders of the parliamentary parties. The committee — to comprise members of all parliamentary parties in proportion to their representation in parliament — will evaluate the shortcomings of the previous elections and make recommendations for electoral reforms to ensure that polls are held in a free, fair and transparent manner.

It will work on the pattern of the parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms that drafted the 18th Amendment.

It may make rules for regulating its procedure and shall present its report to parliament within three months from the date of the notification of the committee.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has finalised 22 names for the said committee while Senate Chairman Nayyar Hussain will submit 11 more names till July 24.

Federal minister Abdul Qadir and MPs Anusha Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Shazia Marri are part of the committee. Three members each from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will be included in it.

PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari welcomed this step and said that her party was given due representation in this committee and its demands were also incorporated as this panel would also investigate irregularities into the previous elections.

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