The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a reminder toparliamentarians regarding the submission of their asset statements for thefinancial year 2022-2023. In a statement released on Tuesday, the ECPemphasized the legal requirement for lawmakers to provide annualdeclarations of their assets and liabilities, as well as those of theirspouses and dependents, by December 31st.
This deadline extension from September 30th to December 31st was introducedthrough the Elections Act of 2017, amending Section 42A of theRepresentation of the People’s Act, 1976, and Section 25A of the Senate(Elections) Act, 1975.
Section 137 (1) of the Elections Act stipulates that every member of anAssembly and Senate is obligated to furnish the Commission with their assetand liability statements by December 31st each year. These statementsshould encompass the financial status of both the member and their familymembers as of the preceding June 30th, and they are to be submitted usingForm B.
This requirement serves to ensure transparency and accountability amongelected representatives, allowing the public to scrutinize their financialinterests and holdings. The ECP’s diligence in reminding parliamentariansof this obligation reinforces the importance of upholding the legal andethical standards associated with public office.
Read Top Stories
The Election Commission’s directive underscores the significance oftransparency and accountability in Pakistan’s political landscape. Byextending the deadline for asset statement submission and activelyreminding lawmakers of their responsibility, the ECP aims to maintain theintegrity of the democratic process.
It provides an opportunity for citizens to assess the financial interestsof their elected representatives, fostering a culture of openness and trustin the political sphere. This commitment to accountability is a vitalcomponent of a healthy democracy and promotes public confidence in thenation’s governance
