Pakistan’s Election Commission Refuses to Share Expense Details with Senate Committee
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to provide the Senate’s Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs with information on its internal expenses and overall expenditures for the general elections held on February 8. The committee, chaired by Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, requested details on salaries, travel expenses, and election costs.
ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan sent a letter to Pakistan’s Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, stating that the committee was exceeding its jurisdiction by questioning ECP’s expenditures, which are charged against the Federal Consolidated Fund. Khan emphasized that the ECP is an independent constitutional body and not like other ministries or public bodies.
The ECP expressed willingness to assist the parliamentary body on legislative matters related to election laws and constitutional provisions. However, Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand and PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz expressed concerns over the ECP’s refusal to provide the requested information. They noted that the Senate body has the authority to summon ECP officials and review documents.
In November 2022, the ECP approved over PKR 47 billion for organizing elections, but costs increased to PKR 61.805 billion, with an additional PKR 14.388 billion requested from the Finance Ministry. The elections on February 8 faced allegations of rigging and internet shutdowns, with voting from 8 am to 5 pm.
Doubts Revealed
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) -: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is a government body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Pakistan to ensure they are fair and free.
Senate’s Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs -: This is a group of senators in Pakistan who focus on issues related to the country’s parliament, like making laws and overseeing government activities.
Jurisdiction -: Jurisdiction means the official power to make legal decisions and judgments. In this context, it means the committee might be trying to do something outside its official power.
Independence -: Independence here means that the ECP operates on its own without interference from other government bodies, to ensure fair elections.
Legislative matters -: Legislative matters are issues related to making or changing laws.
Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand -: He is a member of the Senate in Pakistan, which is like the upper house of the parliament.
PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz -: He is a senator from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is a political party in Pakistan.