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Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
ECP directs political parties to submit financial statements by Aug 29
Listen to article The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued a reminder to all political parties, urging them to submit their consolidated statements of accounts for the financial year 2024–25 by August 29, 2025 in compliance with the Elections Act, 2017. In an official release, the ECP emphasised that under Section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017, along with Sections 204 and Rules 159 and 160 of the Election Rules, 2017, every political party is required to file Form-D, which must include audited financial details for the year ending June 30, 2025. The financial statement must outline the party's annual income and expenditure, sources of funds, assets and liabilities, and must be accompanied by an audit report prepared by a Chartered Accountant. Additionally, political parties must submit a certificate signed by an authorised office-bearer, confirming that no funds were received from prohibited sources under the Elections Act. The certification must also confirm the accuracy and completeness of the financial information provided. According to Rule 156 of the Election Rules, the statement must be submitted in person by an office-bearer authorised by the party head. The ECP clarified that statements sent by post, fax, courier, or other methods will not be accepted. Printed copies of Form-D are available free of charge at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad and at the offices of the Provincial Election Commissioners in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. The form and proforma for the source of funds can also be downloaded from the ECP's official website. The submission should also include legible copies of the party's bank statements from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, along with a bank reconciliation statement. An attested copy of the auditor's membership certificate issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, along with the latest renewal, must be attached. The commission urged all political parties to ensure that their submissions are complete, legible, and free from overwriting, as incomplete or improperly filed statements may be rejected.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
ECP urges political parties to file annual financial statements by Aug 29
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday issued an official reminder to the heads of all political parties to submit their consolidated statements of accounts (Form-D) of the fiscal year 2024–25 no later than August 29. 'In terms of section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017 read with section 204 of the Act ibid and rule 159 & 160 of the Election Rules, 2017, thereof, that the political parties are required to file with Election Commission their Consolidated Statement of Accounts on (Form-D) for financial year, 2024-25 ended on 30th June, 2025 on or before 29th August, 2025,' said a press release issued on Wednesday. It may be recalled that Section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017 provides that a Political Party shall, in such a manner as may be prescribed, submit to the Commission, within sixty days from the close of a financial year, a consolidated statement of its accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant on Form-D containing, annual income and expenses, sources of its funds and assets and liabilities. The Consolidated Statement of Accounts to be submitted to the Election Commission shall be complete in all respects and shall be accompanied by a report of a Chartered Accountant about the audit of accounts of a political party and a certificate signed by an office-bearer authorised by the party Head stating that: No funds were received by the party from any source prohibited under the Elections Act, 2017. The statement of accounts contains an accurate picture of the financial position of the party. The information given above is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. The above statement is audited by a Chartered Accountant, and a detailed report thereof is annexed. The statement of accounts is to be submitted on Form D as provided in the Elections Act, 2017 Printed forms are available, free of cost, in the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad and in the offices of the Provincial Election Commissioners, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Form-D / Proforma for the source of funds are also available on ECP's Website. Overwriting should be avoided. The attested copy of the Membership / Certificate issued by ICAP in respect of the Auditor engaged shall be annexed to the Form-D along with the last valid renewal certificate. The Form-D shall also accompany a legible copy of each of the bank statements for the period from 01.07.2024 to 30.06.2025 of the party, along with a bank reconciliation statement. The subject statement shall be addressed to the Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad and shall be delivered through an office bearer of the party, duly authorised by the party head in terms of rule 156 of the Election Rules, 2017. Statements received through post, fax, courier service or any other mode shall not be accepted.
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
ECP asks parties to submit financial statements
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday reminded all the heads of Political Parties to submit their consolidated statements of accounts (Form-D) for financial year 2024-25 on or before August 29. "In terms of section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017 read with section 204 of the Act ibid and rule 159 & 160 of the Election Rules, 2017, thereof, that the political parties are required to file with Election Commission their Consolidated Statement of Accounts on (Form-D) for financial year, 2024-25 ended on 30th June, 2025 on or before 29th August, 2025," said a press release issued.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No ground to declare polygamous candidate's election null and void: Bombay HC; upholds BJP MLA's victory
Noting that polygamy cannot be a ground to unseat a legislator, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition demanding to declare BJP MLA Rajendra Gavit 's victory in the 2024 polls void, saying "honest" disclosure about his marital status doesn't violate election rules. A bench of Justice Sandeep Marne observed that Gavit, a member of the tribal Bhil community , where polygamy is not prohibited by custom, disclosed details of both his spouses in the election affidavit, including their PAN numbers and Income Tax return status. "There may be cases where a candidate belonging to a particular religion, in which polygamy is permitted, has contracted multiple marriages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo "If the contention raised in the petition about impermissibility to add a column in the nomination form is accepted, then such candidates would never be able to contest any election," the bench noted in its order passed on Monday. The petition, filed by social activist and Palghar voter Sudhir Jain, argued that Gavit's second marriage was invalid under the Hindu Marriage Act and that listing his second wife, Rupali Gavit , amounted to a false declaration. Live Events However, Gavit contended that his disclosure was voluntary and truthful. He asserted that there is no legal bar on a candidate providing such voluntary information, particularly when rooted in a tribal custom that allows polygamy. The high court stated that Gavit has two spouses and accordingly disclosed related details, including their PAN cards and the status of filing income tax returns . "The respondent (Gavit) has made true and honest disclosure about details of PAN and status of filing of Income Tax Returns of both his spouses in the form. "Mere addition of a column to make a true and honest disclosure of information would not attract a ground for challenging the election," the court said. Gavit contended that there is no prohibition or restriction on a candidate from making any voluntary disclosure of information. The declaration of Rupali Gavit being his second wife, in fact, depicts his honesty, he stated. Gavit claimed polygamy is permitted in the Bhil community where there is no restriction on second marriage. The bench stated there was no averment in the petition as to how such disclosure violates the Election Rules. "The act of the candidate of adding a column in the form to make a true and honest disclosure of the information would neither render the nomination form defective nor would amount to a violation of provisions of the Election Rules," Justice Marne said. The bench said it was not necessary to delve into the validity of the second marriage at this stage.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"BJP defending ECI only confirms suspicions of match fixing": Congress leader KC Venugopal
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Congress party's general secretary (Organisation), KC Venugopal said on Monday that after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the Election Commission of India (ECI), after Congress raised allegations of 'match fixing' in the Maharashtra assembly elections, has only 'confirmed people's suspicions.''BJP top brass coming out in its defence only confirmed the people's suspicions of match fixing between BJP and the ECI,' Venugopal said. Venugopal also took a jibe at ECI for realising that their 'rock-bottom credibility' can only be salvaged by acceding to the opposition's demands. 'It is good that the ECI realised that its rock-bottom credibility will not be salvaged by issuing anonymous, unsigned letters - but by acceding to the opposition's demands,' he said in a post on X. Hitting out at the BJP, he said that the party has been systematically trying to hide the CCTV footage by changing the election rules in December. 'The vague, boilerplate responses from ECI don't address the key issues highlighted by Rahul ji in his article. There has also been a systematic attempt by the BJP to hide CCTV footage - for which it amended Election Rules in December. What does it have to hide that polling booth footage is being kept secret? Does it not raise further doubts about them having something to hide?' his post read. He further echoed Rahul Gandhi's earlier demand of releasing the CCTV footage so that people can know the truth. 'Until voter rolls for Maharashtra are released in a machine-readable format, and CCTV footage for the final hours of voting is made public - the people will not know the truth about the massive rigging in the Maharashtra assembly elections,' Venugopal said. Earlier, Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer replied to the allegations of not releasing electoral rolls, saying that the rolls are revised annually and given to recognized political parties free of cost every election cycle. 'Electoral rolls are revised annually through a participatory exercise. During this annual exercise, the electoral rolls are shared, free of cost, with recognized political parties, including INC, first at draft stage and second time after its finalization. The similar exercise was done in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024 and copies of such electoral rolls were then shared with INC, as well as other political parties,' an official statement from Maharashtra's CEO office said. The statement added, 'A complete copy of electoral roll used in general elections to Legislative Assembly, Maharashtra-2024 is also available one website for public to freely download. Even for earlier electoral rolls, a copy of finalized electoral rolls is retained by district election officer as well. Under Rule 33 of the registration of Electors Rules, 1960, any person, including INC, can apply to the concerned District Election Officer and get a copy of such on payment of prescribed fee.' Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had earlier called upon the Election Commission to publish consolidated, digital, machine-readable voter rolls for the most recent elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas of all states, including Maharashtra, saying that 'telling the truth' will protect the poll panel's credibility. (ANI)
