Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Only eight political parties had submitted their statements of accounts in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) despite wide publicity of the last date of August 29, 2016.

According to ECP, only Awami Muslim League Pakistan, Islami Tehreek Pakistan, Jamat Ahle e Hadith Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League (J), Awami National Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaniat, Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan and Pakistan Women Muslim League have submitted their party accounts in the correct format. The ECP has once again reminded political parties to submit statements of accounts for financial year ‘2015-2016’ in line with the Article 13 of the Political Parties Order, 2002.

Under the article, every political party shall submit to the Election Commission within sixty days from the close of each financial year – a consolidated statement of accounts of the party – duly audited by a chartered accountant their annual income and expenses, sources of funds and assets and liabilities.

The statement of accounts of the party is required to be accompanied by a certificate signed by the party leader stating that the party received no funds from any source prohibited under the article and that the statement contains an accurate financial position of the party.

Parties that fail to submit their statement of accounts in accordance with the terms laid out in article 13 will not be allowed to obtain an election symbol or to contest elections for the parliament and provincial assemblies.

The statements are required to be delivered to the ECP secretary, through an office-bearer of the party, duly authorised by the party leader. The statements received through post, fax, courier service or any other mode will not be entertained.