Islamabad: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has concluded with the unanimous rejection of a proposed amendment to the Elections Act, 2017. The amendment, introduced by Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardi Taimur, aimed to enhance women’s political representation and improve facilities for persons with disabilities at polling stations.

According to Senate of Pakistan, during the meeting, Senator Taimur advocated for increasing the existing five percent quota for women on general seats, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities in political participation. She also called for the construction of ramps at polling stations to aid persons with disabilities. The Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs noted that while the proposals were valuable, their practical feasibility required careful assessment.

Election Commission officials suggested incorporating such proposals into administrative guidelines rather than legal amendments, emphasizing the importance of conducting surveys to optimize polling station facilities. Senators Kamran Murtaza and Pervaiz Rashid stressed the need for effective implementation of existing laws and internal deliberations within political parties.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Khalil Tahir, also included discussions on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), where it was noted that the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs currently has no projects under the PSDP. The session saw participation from several senators and officials from the Election Commission of Pakistan.