Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Senate passed the Electoral Reforms Bill 2017 on Friday rejecting the amendment proposed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in section 203 of the bill. It will pave the way for ousted premier Nawaz Sharif to regain the presidency of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N).

Senator Aitzaz Ahsan of PPP has suggested an amendment to the bill which restricts any person who is disqualified under article 62, 63 from holding any official position in any political party.

However, the amendment was rejected by a margin of one vote as 38 out of 75 members of the upper house voted against the amendment.

Approval of the bill will not only benefit Nawaz but will also introduce new policies for the 2018 general elections. It enables the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to scrutinise election expenses of any political party within 90 days.

The bill proposed a fine of up to Rs 0.1 million and three years of jail for lawmakers if irregularities are found in details of their assets.

According to the bill, every citizen, excluding government employees, will have the right of creating or joining a political party.

National Assembly already passed the bill last month.