What powers will the Election Act Amendment Bill 2023 give an interim PM?

Despite opposition from the PTI, the joint session of Parliament on Wednesday passed the Election Act Amendment Bill 2023, which includes Clause 2A of Section 230, with a majority vote.

The amendment to Clause 2A of Section 230 of the Election Act was also opposed by PPP leader Raza Rabbani.

Powers the caretaker PM has after amendment?

With the passage of the Election Act Bill, the caretaker prime minister will have enhanced financial powers, allowing the caretaker government to make vital decisions related to the country’s economy, international organizations, foreign governments, and the ability to enter into agreements.

Under the amendments, the interim setup will not have the authority to sign any new agreement and make decisions on bilateral and multilateral agreements.

The caretaker government will be able to exercise powers on matters related to the ongoing projects, according to the amendments.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar told the joint session that the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms again held a meeting today and examined, specifically, Section 230 of the Election Act vis-à-vis the caretaker government.

He said the objective of empowering caretaker setup is to ensure that the ongoing commitments with multilateral and bilateral do not face hiatus as it negatively affects the economy.

The bill empowers the caretaker government to take actions or decisions regarding existing bilateral or multilateral agreements or the projects already initiated under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act, 2017, the inter-governmental commercial transactions Act 2022 and the Privatisation Commission Ordinance 2000.

Additionally, the joint session approved an amendment that allows candidates to nominate three polling agents. Each candidate can nominate three polling agents at a single polling station, with only one agent allowed inside the station. The presiding officer must display the list of voters outside the polling station.

The Election Commission is now obligated to publish details of postal ballots issued before the elections on its website. A recount will be conducted if there is a 5% difference in votes between the losing and winning candidates.

For the National Assembly seat with a difference of 8,000 votes and the provincial Assembly with 4,000 votes, the recounting will be done by the returning officer under supervision and in the presence of the candidates.