Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has recommended the passage of the “Election (Second Amendment) Bill 2024,” which seeks to enforce stricter regulations on independent candidates joining political parties post-election. The bill stipulates that independents must adhere to a fixed timeline for party affiliation as outlined in the Constitution and election law of Pakistan.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the fourth meeting of the committee, chaired by Mr. Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, MNA, was conducted in Parliament House where the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced amendments to Sections 66 and 106 of the Election Act 2017, along with a new insertion, Section 104A. The modifications aim to ensure that an independent candidate’s decision to join a political party after elections is irreversible, aligning with the constitutional mandate. Following comprehensive discussions, the majority of the committee members supported the bill’s advancement to the full assembly for final approval.

The session was attended by various assembly members and senior officials from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the Election Commission, and the Ministry of Law and Justice, highlighting the significant legislative focus on refining electoral processes in Pakistan.