14 articles being amended to reform election system

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary committee on electoral reforms is considering several constitutional amendments affecting at least 14 articles of the Constitution apparently to improve the electoral process for fair, free and transparent elections.
The proposed amendments cover the reformation of the Election Commission, bar on candidates to contest more than two seats of the same assembly or of different assemblies, greater gap between the assembly completing its term and the next going to be elected, linking Islamic qualifications of the candidates with the court order and others. Another amendment under consideration recommends holding general elections within a period of 90 days instead of the present 60 days after the term of the assembly expires.
The reforms committee’s documents show that the committee is considering an amendment in the Article 224 of the Constitution to have more time than what the Constitution presently envisages.
Presently, the Constitution envisages that a general election to the national or provincial assemblies be held within a period of 60 days immediately following the day on which the term of the assembly is due to expire, unless the assembly has been sooner dissolved, and the results of elections shall be declared not later than 14 days after conclusion of polls. The proposed amendment to Article 224 (1) suggests that a general election to the national or provincial assembly shall be held within a period of 90 days immediately following the day on which the term of the assembly is due to expire and the results of the election shall be declared not later than 21 days after conclusion of the polls.
Regarding the Article 223, the committee is considering an amendment that provides for simultaneous election of a candidate to a maximum of two seatsin the same assembly or in different assemblies.
This amendment is being considered following debate after the 2013 elections that whether a candidate should be allowed to contest several national and provincial seats at public expense. Under the constitution, no person at the same time could be a member of two or more assemblies. Those contesting more than one seat, upon winning, have to opt for only one seat owing to which the election commission has to hold by-elections in all other constituencies which they have vacated.
Presently Article 223(2) allows a candidate to contest polls from two or more seats at the same time, whether in the same assembly or in different assemblies. However, if he is elected from more than one seat he had to sign from all but one of his seats within a period of 30 days.
Another amendment is proposed to Article 17(2), which seeks a change from “every political party” to “every registered (with election commission of Pakistan) political party”.Article 59 is being considered for amendment to allow for Senate election of two members on general seats, and one woman and technocrats including Aalim (religious scholar) from the federal capital by the members of the National Assembly.
A minor amendment to Article 61 (1) is being considered in which some damaging changes in the Islamic provision, as has been reported by The News, are under consideration in Article 62 of the constitution.
Changes in Article 140 are also being proposed to improve the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the respective government in the smooth holding of local government elections.
Amendment to Article 213 is being contemplated to increase the strength of the Parliamentary Committee, which recommends to the President the names of the chairman and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Several proposed amendments to Articles 215, 217, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223 and 224 are under review of the reforms committee to improve the election processes.