Islamabad, The National Assembly is set to exclusively proceed with the election of a new Prime Minister from among its Muslim members on Saturday, March 3, 2024. This critical session, earmarked for the singular purpose of electing the Prime Minister, will follow a precise and pre-established procedure to ensure a transparent and fair election process.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the nomination process for candidates vying for the Prime Minister’s position requires submission of nomination papers by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2024. These papers, necessitating the signatures of the proposer, the seconder, and the consent of the candidate, will undergo scrutiny at 3:00 p.m. the same day. The Speaker of the National Assembly will oversee this process, ensuring adherence to the procedural rules set forth in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
The election protocol mandates a secret ballot vote, adhering to a detailed procedure that includes a single vote by each member, issuance of ballot papers containing the names of validly nominated candidates, and a subsequent counting process to determine the majority vote. The Speaker will announce the names of the candidates, and following the voting, will declare the elected Prime Minister.
This forthcoming election is a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s democracy, following the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and occurring in response to the vacated Prime Minister’s office for any given reason. The rules specify that if no candidate achieves a majority in the first poll, a second poll will be held between the two candidates with the highest votes in the initial poll. This process ensures that the elected Prime Minister has the majority support of the Assembly’s total membership.
The election of the Prime Minister is a significant event in Pakistan’s political landscape, marking a transition of leadership and setting the direction for the country’s governance. The National Assembly’s adherence to a rigorous and transparent election process reflects the democratic values upheld by the country.