ECP refuses to share financial matters with Senate panel

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday refused to share its financial matters with the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, saying it was an independent entity operating outside the committee’s purview.

The committee chairman, Dr Humayun Mohmand, announced to move the privileges committee on the matter.

Citing the committee’s notice of August 19, Secretary ECP Omar Hamid Khan sent a letter to the committee detailing the reasons for not sharing the details about ‘the total expenses incurred by the ECP in terms of its constitutional/legal responsibilities, salaries of the members and employees, their travelling expenses and other ancillary expenditures, made by the commission during the financial year (2023-2024)’.

Likewise, the committee sought a briefing on the expenses incurred on the Feb 8 general elections, with province-wise breakup and the number of officers working in the Election Commission, presently posted, along their designations, basic pay scale, qualifications and domiciles.

The ECP secretary informed the committee that their subject notice was placed before the commission for consideration and appropriate order. The commission deliberated upon the subject issue and decided that it believes in transparency and accountability.

However, he said, the ECP was an independent constitutional body constituted under Article 218(2) of the Constitution and performed functions and duties under the Constitution and law unlike other Ministries/Divisions.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, it was noted, was a channel of communication for the commission solely for the purpose of legislative business of the Election Commission under Rule 3(3) and schedule II item No. 28(11) of the Rules of Business of 1973.

The Election Commission noted that as per Allocation of Business: The business of the government shall be distributed among the divisions in the manner indicated in Schedule II.

The Election Commission contended that as a constitutional body, it did not form a part of any ministry or division and was therefore outside the purview of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

Referring to the ECP letter at the outset of meeting, Dr Humayun Mohmand said the Election Commission said they were not answerable to parliament but we can call the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner.

Secretary parliamentary affairs told the chairman that the jurisdiction of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs included legislative matters of the Election Commission to which Senator Mohsin Aziz said the Election Commission’s letter should be rejected, pointing out that the Election Commission had come to PAC meeting.

However, the secretary parliamentary affairs proposed that the matter should be sent to the Senate chairman for his guidance and opinion.

“I will go to the Privileges Committee on this; this is a mockery of Senate. Not attending the meeting for a briefing constitutes our disrespect. I ask if parliament is really supreme.”

PTI’s Senator Ali Zafar expressed strong concerns and termed the ECP refusal an insult to the committee and insisted the chief election commissioner and members were under the parliamentary supervision. Senator Sarmad Ali of PPP inquired about the ECP’s relationship with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and that matters related to legislation should be deliberated upon in the committee meetings.