Senate (Election) Act, 1975 (Repeal by No.F.8(9)/2017 dated,23-10-2017)

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THE SENATE (ELECTION) ACT, 1975
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1.
Short title and commencement.
2.
Definitions.
CHAPTER II
ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY FOR THE CONDUCT OF
ELECTIONS.
3.
Organisation and conduct of election.
4.
Delegation of powers.
5.
Returning officers.
6.
Polling stations.
7.
Polling officers.
8.
Duties and powers of returning officer.
CHAPTER III
CONDUCT OF ELECTION
9.
Supply of list of voters.
10.
Notification for election.
11.
Nomination for election.
12.
Deposit.
13.
Scrutiny.
14.
Publication of the list of candidates.
15.
Withdrawal.
16.
Death of a candidate after nomination.
17.
Postponement etc, under certain circumstances.
18.
Uncontested election.
19.
Contested election.
20.
Hours of poll.
21.
Absence of candidates, etc, not to invalidate acts, etc.
22.
Adjourned poll.
23.
Voting procedure.
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24.
Proceedings at the close of poll.
25.
Declaration of result of election.
25A.
Yearly submission of statement of assest and liabilities.
26.
Return or forfeiture of deposit.
CHAPTER IV
ELECTION EXPENSES
27.
Election expenses.
28.
Restriction on election expenses.
29.
Return of election expenses.
30.
Inspection of returns, etc.
CHAPTER V
ELECTION DISPUTES
31.
Election not to be questioned except by election petition or appeal.
32.
Appeal against count.
33.
Commissioner to have certain powers of a court.
34.
Election petition.
35.
Parties to the petition.
36.
Contents of petition.
37.
Procedure on receipt of petition by the Commissioner.
38.
Appointment of Tribunal
39.
Power to transfer petition.
40.
Place of trial.
41.
Advocate­General to assist the Tribunal.
42.
Appearance before Tribunal.
43.
Procedure before Tribunal.
44.
Dismissal of petition during trial.
45.
Powers of the T ribunal.
46.
Further provision relating to evidence and witnesses.
47.
Recrimination where seat is claimed.
48.
Decision of the Tribunal.
49.
Ground for declaring election of returned candidate void.
50.
Ground for declaring a person other than a returned candidate elected.
51.
Ground for declaring election as a whole void.
52.
Other provisions relating to tribunal.
53.
Withdrawal of petition.
54.
Abatement on death of petitioner.
55.
Death or withdrawal of respondent.
56.
Failure of petitioner to appear.
56A.
Additional Powers of the Tribunal.
57.
Order as to costs.
CHAPTER VI
OFFENCES, PENALTY AND ROCEDURE
58.
Corrupt practice.
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59.
Bribery.
60.
Personation.
61.
Undue influence.
62.
Penalty for corrupt practice.
63.
Illegal practice.
64.
Prohibition of public meetings, etc., during certain period.
65.
Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station.
66.
Disorderly conduct near polling station.
67.
Tampering with papers.
68.
Interference with the secrecy of voting.
69.
Failure to maintain secrecy.
70.
Officials not to influence voters.
71.
Breaches of official duty in connection with election.
72.
Assistance by Government servant.
73.
Certain powers of a police officer.
74.
Certain Offences cognizable.
75.
Prosecution for offences by public officers.
76.
Limitation for prosecution for corrupt or illegal practices.
CHAPTER VII
BYE­ELECTION
77.
Casual vacancies.
78.
Disqualification.
79.
Disqualification on account of certain offences.
80.
Removal and remission of disqualification.
CHAPTER
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
81.
Extension of time for completion of election.
82.
Term of office.
82A.
Drawing of lots for determining term of Office of individual members.
83.
Vacancy in membership of Provincial Assemblies not to invalidate election
84.
Commissioner to ensure fair election, etc.
85.
Directions of commissioner in certain matters.
86.
Jurisdiction of courts barred.
87.
Protection of action taken in good faith.
88.
Power to make rules.
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SENATE (ELECTION) ACT, 1975
1ACT No. LI OF 1975
An Act to provide for the conduct of election to the Senate
[2nd July 1975]
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the conduct of election to the Senate and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto ;
It is hereby enacted as follows :­
CHAPTER I.__PRELIMINARY
1.  Short title  and commencements.__ (1)  This Act  may be  called the  Senate  (Election)  Act,
1975.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
 2. Definitions.__ (1) In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, __
(a) "bye­election" means an election to fill a casual vacancy referred to pan section 77 ;
(b) "candidate" means a person proposed as a candidate for election as a member ;
(c) "Chairman" means Chairman of the Senate ;
2[(cc) “Commission” means the Election Commission;
(ccc) “Commissioner” means the Chief Election Commissioner;]
(d) "contesting candidate" means a candidate who has been validly nominated for election as
a member and has not withdrawn his candi dature ;
(e)  "election"  means  an  election  to  the  Senate  other  than  a  bye­election  and  includes an
election to fill the seat of a member which falls vacant on the expiration of his term ;
(f) "election petition" means an election petition made under sec tion 34;
(g) "electoral roll" means an electoral roll prepared under the law relating to the preparation
and revision of electoral rolls for the time being in force ;
 
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., 1975, Ext., Pt.III, p.619. 
The Act has been applied to the Federally Administered T ribal Areas with certain modifications by S.R.O. 746(I)/75, dated the 7th July, 1975, see Gaz. of P., 1975, Ext., Pt.II, p. 1365. 
2Ins. by Ord.50 of 02,s.2.
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(h) "member" means member of the Senate ;
(i)  "nomination  day"  means  the  day  appointed  under  section  10  for  the  nomination  of
candidates ;
(j) "polling day" means the day on which poll is taken for an elec tion ;
(k) "Polling Officer" means a Polling Officer appointed under sec tion 7 ;
(l) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules ;
(m)  "returned  candidate"  means a  candidate  who has  been  declared  elected  as  a  member
under this Act ;
(n) "Returning Officer" means a Returning Officer appointed under section 5 and includes a
Polling Officer acting as, or performing the functions of, Returning Officer ;
(o) "rules" means rules made under this Act ;
(p) "scrutiny day" means the day appointed under section 10 for the scrutiny of nomination
papers ;
(q) “voter”,  means in relation to  a  Province,  a  person who is a  member of the  Provincial
Assembly of that Province ; and
(r)  "withdrawal  day"  means  the  day  appointed  under  section  10  on  or  before  which
candidature may be withdrawn.
(2) Words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and also used in the Constitution shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, have the meanings assigned to them in the Constitution.
_______
CHAPTER II.__ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY FOR
THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
3. Organisation and conduct of election. Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, the
Commissioner shall regulate the procedure for organizing, and conducting an election in such manner
as he may deem fit.
4. Delegation of powers. The Commissioner may authorise any of the officers subordinate to him
to exercise and perform all or any of his powers and functions under this Act. 
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5.  Returning  Officers.  For  the  purposes  of  an  election,  the  Commissioner shall  appoint  a
Returning Officer for each Province.
6.  Polling  Stations.  The  Commissioner  shall  provide  a  polling  station  for  the  purpose  of
election members by the members of a Provincial Assembly.
7.  Polling  Officers. The  Commissioner  shall, for  the  purpose  of  conduct ing an  election,  also
appoint such number of Polling Officers to assist the Returning Officer as he may consider necessary.
8. Duties and powers of Returning Officer.__ (1) A Returning Officer shall conduct the poll in
accordance  with the provisions of this Act and the rules and shall exercise all necessary powers for
maintaining order  at  the  polling station  and  shall report  to  the  Commissioner any  fact  or  incident
which may, in his opinion, affect the conduct or fairness of the Poll.
(2) The Returning Officer may, during the course of the poll, entrust to any Polling Officer such
of his functions as may be specified by him ; and it shall be the duty of the Polling Officer to perform
the functions so entrusted.
(3) The Returning Officer shall authorise one of the Polling Officers to act in his place if he is, at
any time during the poll, by reason of illness or other cause, not present at the polling station or is
unable to perform his functions.
(4) The Returning Officer may, at any time during the poll, for reasons to be recorded in writing,
suspend  any  Polling Officer  and  make  such  arrange ments  as  he  may  consider  necessary  for  the
performance of the functions of the Officer so suspended. 
(5) It shall be the duty of a Returning Officer to do all such acts and things as may be necessary
for effectively conducting an election in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules.
______
CHAPTER III.__CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
9. Supply of list of voters. The Commissioner shall provide the Returning Officer with a list of
voters of the Province.        
10. Notification for election.__(1) For the  purpose of an election, the  Commissioner shall, by
notification in the official Gazette, call upon the members of the Provincial Assembly of a Province
to elect such number of members to the Senate from that Province as is specified in such notifi cation.
(2) The Commissioner shall in the same notification fix__
(a) a day for the nomination of candidates ;
(b) a day for the scrutiny of nomination papers ;
(c) a day on or before which candidature may be withdrawn ; and
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(d) a day for the taking of the poll and the place at which the poll shall be taken.
11. Nomination for election.__(1) A voter from a Province may propose or second the name of
any person qualified for election to the Senate from that Province.
1[(2)  Every  nomination shall be  made  by  a  separate  nomination paper  in the  prescribed  form
signed both by the proposer and the seconder and shall, on solemn affirmation made and signed by
the candidate, accompany__
(a) a declaration that he has consented to the nomination and that he fulfils the qualifications
specified in Article 62 of the Constitution and is not subject to any of the disqualifications
specified in Article 63  thereof  or  any  other  law for  the  time being in force  for  being
elected as member;
(b) a declaration about his party affiliation, if any;
(c) a declaration that no loan for an amount of two million rupees or more, obtained from any
bank, financial institution, cooperative society or corporate  body in his own name or in
the name of his spouse or any of his dependents, or any business concern mainly owned
by him or the aforesaid; stands unpaid for more than one year from the due date, or has
got such loan written off;
(d) a declaration that he, his spouse or any of his dependents or a business concern mainly
owned by him or the aforesaid, is not in default in payment of government dues or utility
charges, including telephone, electricity, gas and water charges of an amount in excess of
ten thousand rupees, for over six month, at the time of filing of nomination paper;
(e) a statement specifying his educational qualifications, occupation, National Identity Card
number and National Tax Number, if any, alongwith attested copies thereof; and
(f)  a  statement  of  his assets  and  liabilities and  those  of  his spouse and  dependents  on  the
prescribed form as on the preceding thirtieth day of June;
Explanation._For the purpose of this section, the expression__
(i) loan shall mean any loan, advance, credit of finance obtained or written off on or after the
31st day of December, 1985, but shall not include the loan the recovery of which has been
stayed or suspended by any order of a court or tribunal, including the High Court and the
Supreme Court;
1Subs. and addded by Ord. 50 of  02, s.3.
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(ii)  “mainly  owned”  shall  mean  holding  or  controlling  a  majority  interest  in  a  business
concern;
(iii)  “taxes”  include all taxes  levied by  Federal  Government,  Provincial Government  or  a
local government, but shall not include taxes that recovery of which has been stayed of
suspended by any order of a court or tribunal;
(iv)  “government  dues  and  utility charges”  shall, inter  alia,  include  rent,  charges  of  rest
houses  or  lodges  owned  by  the  Federal  Governments,  Provincial  Government,  local
governments or corporations established or controlled by such governments, but shall not
include the government dues and utilities charges the recovery of which has been stayed
or suspended by any order of a court or tribunal.]
1[(3) Every  nomination paper  shall be  delivered by the  candidate  in person to  thhe  Rerurning
Officer  who  shall amknowledge receipt  of  the  nomination paper  specifying the  date  and  time  of
receipt.]
(4) A person may be nominated by more than one nomination papers.
(5)  Every  proposal shall be  accompanied  by  a  certified  copy  of  the  relevant  extract  from the
electoral roll in which the name of the person nominated is enrolled.
1[(6)  The  nomination  form  and  accompanying  declarations  and  statements  shall  be  open  to
inspection  by  the  public,  and  copies  thereof  may  be  made  available  by  the  Commission in  such
manner and on payment of such fee as may by prescribed.]
12. Deposit.__ (1) Subject to  the  provisions of sub­section (2), no nomina tion paper  delivered
under section 11 shall be accepted unless__
(a) a sum of two thousand rupees is deposited in cash by the candidate or by any person on
his behalf at the time of its delivery ; or
(b) it is accompanied by a receipt showing that a sum as aforesaid has been deposited by the
candidate or by any person on his behalf at any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan
or at a Government Treasury or sub­Treasury.
 (2) Not more than one deposit under sub­section (1) shall be required in the case of a person who
has been nominated as a candidate by more than one nomination papers.
13. Scrutiny.__ (1) The candidates,  their proposers and  seconders,  and  an  agent authorised in
writing in this behalf by each candidate, may attend the scrutiny of the nomination papers, and the
Returning  Officer  shall  give  them  reasonable  opportunity  for  examining  all  nomination  papers
delivered to him under section 11.
1Subs. by Ord. 82 of 02,s.2.
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(2) The Returning Officer shall, in the presence of the persons attending the scrutiny under sub­
section (1), examine the nomination papers and decide any objection raised by any such person to
any nomination.
(3) The Returning Officer may, either of his own motion or upon any objection, conduct  such
summary inquiry as he may think fit and reject any nomination paper if he is satisfied that__
(a) the candidate is not qualified to be elected as a member ;
(b) the proposer or the seconder is not qualified to subscribe to the nomi nation paper ;
(c) any provision of section 11 or section 12 has not been  complied with 1[or submits any
false or incorrect declaration or statement in any material particular]; or
(d) the signature of the proposer or seconder is not genuine :
Provided that__
(i) the rejection of a nomination paper shall not invalidate the nomina tion of a candidate by
any other valid nomination paper ;
(ii)  the  Returning officer  shall not  reject  a  nomination paper  on  the  ground of  any  defect
which  is  not  of  a  substantial  nature  and  may  allow  any  such  defect  to  be  remedied
forthwith ; and
(iii) the Returning Officer shall not inquire into the correctness or validity of any entry in the
electoral roll.
1[(3A) The Returning Officer may, for the purpose of scrutiny, require any agency or authority to
produce any document or record.
(3B)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sub­section  (3),  where  a  candidate  deposits  any
amount of loan, tax or utility charges payable by him before rejection of his nomination paper on the
ground of default in payment of such loan, taxes or utility charges, such nomination paper shall not be
rejected for default thereof.]
(4)  The  Returning  Officer  shall  endorse  on  each  nomination  paper  his  decision  accepting  or
rejecting it and shall, in the case of rejection, record a brief statement of the reasons therefor.
1Added and Ins. by Ord.50 of 02, s.4.
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1[(5) Where the nomination of a candidate has been rejected under this section by a Returning
Officer, an appeal shall lie, within two days of the scrutiny day, to the Commissioner 2[or a member
of the Commission authorized by the Commissioner]; and any order passed by the Commis sioner 2[or
such member as the case may be, [on such appeal 3[,after affording to the person referred to in sub­
section (1) an opportunity of being heard,] shall be final 2[:]]
2[ Provided that where a nomination paper is rejected by the Returning Officer on the ground that
the candidate is defaulter of loan or taxes or government dues or utility charges or has had the loan
written off and the candidate pays such loan or , as the case may be, taxes, government dues or utility
charges or the written off loan on or before the last date fixed for disposal of appeals and satisfies the
Member  of  the  Election  Commission that  such  payment  has  been  made,  his nomination shall be
treated as having been accepted on that ground.
(6) If the member of the Commission referred to in sub­section (5), is on the basis of information
or material coming to his knowledge from any source, satisfied that  a candidate  whose nomination
paper has been accepted is__
(a) a defaulter of loans, taxes, government dues or utility charges or has had any loan written off
or is subject to any other disqualification from being elected as member of Senate, he may, on his own
motion, call upon such candidate to show cause why his nomination should not be rejected, and if he
is satisfied that the candidate is defaulter as aforesaid or has had a loan written off or is subject to any
disqualification, he may reject his nomination paper.]
14. Publication of the list of candidates.__ (1) The Returning Officer shall, after the scrutiny of
nomination papers, prepare and publish in the prescribed manner a list of candidates who have been
validly nominated.
(2) In case an appeal against rejection of a nomination paper is accepted by the Commissioner the
list of validly nominated candidates shall be revised accordingly.
15. Withdrawals.__ (1) Any validly nominated candidate may, by notice in writing signed by him
and delivered on or before the withdrawal day to the Returning Officer either by such candidate in
person or by an agent authorised by him in writing in this behalf, withdraw his candidature.
(2) A notice of withdrawal under sub­section (1) shall, in no circum stances, be open to recall or
cancellation..
(3) On receiving a notice of withdrawal under sub­section (1), the Return ing Officer shall, if he is
satisfied that  the signature on the notice is that  of the candidate,  cause a copy of the notice to be
affixed at some conspicuous place in his office.
1Sub­section (5) which was Previously amended by Ord. 17 of 1985, s.2 has been subs. by Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986),s.2. 
2Added by Ord.50 of 02,s.2. 
3Ins. by Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1992 (24 of 1992),s.2.
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(4)  The  Returning  Officer  shall,  on  the  day  next  following the  withdrawal  day,  prepare  and
publish in the prescribed manner a list of contesting candi dates and forward a copy thereof to each
such candidate, giving public notice of the date, hour and place of the poll.
16. Death of a candidate after nomination.__ (1) If a validly nominated candidate who has not
withdrawn his candidature dies before the completion of the proceedings relating to the election, the
Returning  Officer  shall,  by  public  notice,  terminate  such  proceedings  and  make  a  report  to  the
Commis sioner.
(2) Where  the  proceedings relating to an election have  been  terminated under sub­section (1),
fresh proceedings shall be commenced in accordance  with the provisions of this Act as if for a new
election.
17.  Postponement,  etc.,  under  certain  circumstances.  Where  the  proceedings  relating  to
nomination, scrutiny or withdrawal cannot, for reasons beyond the control of the Returning officer,
take  place  on the day appointed therefor, he may postpone or adjourn such proceedings and shall,
with  the  approval  of  the  Commissioner,  by  public notice  fix  another  day  for  the  pro ceedings  so
postponed or adjourned and, if necessary, also the day or days for any subsequent proceedings.
18.  Uncontested  election.__(1)  Where  after  scrutiny  under  section  13  or  withdrawal  under
section  15,  the  number  of  validly  nominated  candidates  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  contesting
candidates from a Province is less than or equal to the number of seats to be filled for that Province,
the Returning Officer shall, by public notice declare such candidates to be elected to the seats and
send a return of election to the Commissioner:
Provided that, if after scrutiny any candidate indicates that he intends to file an appeal under sub­
section (5) of section 13 against the rejection of his nomination paper, no person shall be declared
elected uncontested until the period for filing such appeal has expired and no such appeal has been
filed, or where an appeal is filed, until the disposal of such appeal.
(2) The Commissioner shall publish in the oficial Gazette the names of the returned candidates.
(3)  Where  the  number  of  candidates  declared  elected  under  sub­section  (1)  is  less  than  the
number of seats to be filled, fresh proceedings shall be commenced in accordance with the provisions
of this Act as if for a new elec tion, to fill the seat or, as the case may be, seats remaining vacant.
19.  Contested  election.  If  after  withdrawals,  if  any,  the  number  of  candidates  exceeds  the
number of seats, the Returning Officer shall, on the appointed day, conduct the poll, after giving a
notice thereof to the contest ing candidates.
20. Hours of poll. The Returning Officer shall, subject to any direction of the Commissioner, fix
the hours during which the poll shall be taken and give public notice of the hours so fixed.
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21. Absence of candidates, etc., not to invalidate acts, etc. Where any act or thing is required
or authorised by this Act to be done in the presence of a candidate or an agent authorised by him in
writing in this behalf, the  failure of such person to attend  at  the  time and place appointed for the
purpose shall not invalidate any act or thing otherwise validly done.
22. Adjourned poll.­ (1) If at any time the poll is interrupted or obstruct ed for reasons beyond
the control of the Returning Officer, he may stop the poll and, when he so stops the poll, shall inform
the Commissioner of his having done so.
(2) Where a poll is stopped under sub­section (1), the Returning Officer shall, immediately report
the  circumstances  to  the  Commissioner and  as  soon as  may be  appoint,  with the  approval  of  the
Commissioner, a day for a fresh poll and fix the place at which, and the hours during which, such
fresh poll shall be taken.
(3) All voters shall be allowed to vote at the fresh poll taken under sub­ section (2) and no vote
cast at the poll stopped under sub­section (1) shall be counted.
23. Voting procedure.__ (1) All voters shall be entitled to vote at an election.
(2) No vote shall be given by proxy.
(3) Each  voter  shall have  only one transferable  vote  irrespective of the  number of seats to be
filled.
(4) A voter shall cast his vote in the prescribed manner.
(5) The ballot papers shall be in such form as the Commissioner may specify.
(6) The polls shall be by secret ballot.
24. Proceedings  at the close  of poll.__ (1) Immediately after  the  close of poll, the  Returning
Officer shall proceed with the counting of votes in the prescribed manner.
(2) On the completion of counting, the Returning Officer shall prepare and certify a return of the
election and submit the same to the Commissioner in the prescribed manner.
1[(3) Every returned candidate shall, within five days from the date of election, submit return of
election expenses in accordance with the provision of section 29.]
1[25. Declaration of result of election. On the receipt of the returns of the election under sub­
section (3) of section 24, the Commissioner shall publish in the official Gazette the names of returned
candidates.
1Added by Ord. 50 of 02, s.5. 
2Subs., Ins and added by Ord. 50 of 02, ss.6­9.
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Provided  that the  name of a  candidate  shall not  be published who fails to  submit th  return  of
election expenses as required by sub­section (3) of section 24.]
25A. Yearly submission of statement of assets and liabilities.__ (1) Every member shall in the
prescribed form submit a statement  of assets and liabilities of his own, his spouse and dependents
annually to the Commissioner by the thirtieth day of September each year.
(2) The statements of assests and liabilities submitted under sub­section (1) shall be published in
the Official Gazette and copies thereof can be obtained on payment of prescribed fee.
(3)  The  Commision shall,  by  the  fifteenth  day  of  October  each  year,  notify  the  names  of
the  members who fail to  file staements  of assets and  liabilities within the  period specified in sub­
section (1) and by an order, direct that  such member shall cease  to function till such statement  is
submitted.
(4) Where a member submits the statement of assets and liabilities under sub­section (1) which is
found to be false in material particulars, he may be proceeded  under section 62 for committing the
offences of corrupt practice.
26. Return or forfeiture of deposit.__ (1) After the termination of the pro ceedings relating to an
election under section 16 where the proceedings have been so terminated or after the declaration of
result of an election under section 18 or section 25, the deposit made under section 12 in respect of
any  candidate  shall be  returned  to  the  person  making it or  to  his legal representa tive,  except  the
deposit in respect of a candidate for whom no voter has either voted or indicated any preference.
(2) A deposit which is not required to be returned under sub­section (1), shall be forfeited to the
Federal Government.
CHAPTER IV.­ELECTION EXPENSES
27. Election expenses. In this Chapter, "election expenses" means any expenditure incurred or
payment  made, whether  by way of gift, loan, advance,  deposit or otherwise, for the  arrangement,
conduct or benefit of, or in connec tion with, or incidental to, the election of a candidate, including
expenditure on account of issuing circulars or publications or otherwise presenting to the voters the
candidate or his views, aims or objects, but does not include the deposit made under section 12.
28. Restriction on election expenses.__(1) No person shall, except to the extent provided in sub­
section (2), make any payment whatsoever towards the election expenses of a candidate  except  to
such candidate.
(2) No person other than a candidate shall incur any election expenses of the candidate :
Provided that any person may, if so authorised by a contesting candidate in writing specifying a
maximum amount, to the extent of such amount, make payment for stationery, postage, telegram and
other petty expenses.
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(3)  The  election  expenses  of  a  contesting  candidate  shall  not  exceed  1[one  million and  five
hundred] rupees.
1[(4) a Candidate by a statement,  explain the particulars of any election expense supported by
receipts and voucher of payments made thereof, except where the amount is less than five hundred
rupees.]
29.  Return  of  election  expenses.__(1)  Every  contesting  candidate  1[other  than  a  returned
candidates] shall, within thirty days after the publication of the name of the returned candidates under
section  18  or  section  25,  submit  to  the  Returning  Officer  a  return  of  election  expenses  in  the
prescribed form containing__
(a) a statement of all payments made by the contesting candidate together with all the bills
and receipts ;
(b) a statement of all disputed claims, if any, of which the contesting candidate is aware ;
(c) a statement of all unpaid claims, if any, of which the contesting candidate is aware ; and
(d) a statement of all moneys, securities or equivalent of money received from any person for
the purpose of election expenses specifying the name of every such person.
(2) The return submitted under sub­section (1) shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the
contesting candidate.
30. Inspection of returns, etc.__(1) The return and documents submitted under section 29 shall
be kept by the Returning Officer in his office or at such other convenient place as he may think fit
and shall, during one year from the date of their receipt by him, be open to inspection by any person
on payment of the prescribed fee.
(2) The Returning Officer shall, on an  application made in this behalf and  on payment  of the
prescribed fee, give any person copies of any return or document kept under sub­section (1) or of any
part thereof.          
CHAPTER V.__ ELECTION DISPUTES
31. Election not to be questioned except by election petition or appeal.__ (1) Save as provided
in section 32, no election shall be called in question except by an election petition under section 34.
(2) No question that can be settled in an appeal under section 32 shall be raised by an election
petition or before any Court or authority whatsoever, nor shall any question that can be raised by an
election petition be raised before any Court or authority other than an Election Tribunal.
32.  Appeal  against  count.__(1)  A  contesting candidate  who  is aggrieved by  any  proceedings
under  section  24  relating  to  the  count  may  prefer  an  appeal  challenging  the  count  to  the
Commissioner.
1Subs. Ins. and added by Ord. 50 of 02, ss.6­9.
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(2) An appeal under sub­section (1) may be made by the candidate in person, or through a person
authorised in writing by the candidate in this behalf, within three days next following the date of the
completion of the count under section 24.
(3) The appeal shall be addressed to the Commissioner and shall be filed with the Commissioner
or with the Secretary, Election Commission.
(4)  The appeal  shall be  in the  form of a  memorandum which shall state  the  grounds for  such
appeal and shall be accompanied by as many copies thereof as the number of contesting candidates at
an election.
(5) The Commissioner may, after giving the parties concerned an oppor tunity of being heard,__
(a) dismiss the appeal ; or
(b) if he does not dismiss the appeal, determine the result of the election on the count of valid
votes  as  corrected,  after  adjudicating  upon  the  invalid  votes,  if  any,  and  make  such
consequential order as may be necessary.
(6) The decision of the Commissioner on appeal under sub­section (5) shall be final.
33. Commissioner to have certain  powers of a Court. For the  purpose of the  disposal of an
appeal under section 32, the Commissioner shall have the same powers as are vested in a Court under
the Code of Civil Procedure,  1908 (Act V of 1908), when trying a suit in respect  of the following
matters, that is to say,__
(a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath ;
(b) compelling the discovery and production of documents, articles or things ;
(c) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses ;
(d) requiring the deposit of diet and traveling expenses of witnesses ;
(e) receiving evidence on affidavits ;
(f) granting adjournments ; and
(g) summoning and examining suo motu any person whose evidence appears to be material.
34. Election petition. An election petition shall be presented to the Commissioner within forty­
five  days  of  the  publication  of  the  result  of  the  election  in  the  official  Gazette  and  shall  be
accompanied by a receipt show ing that the petitioner has deposited a sum of two thousand rupees at
any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan or at a Government 
Treasury or sub­Treasury in favour of the Commissioner as security for the costs of the petition.
35. Parties to the petition. The petitioner shall join as respondents to his election petition__
(a) all contesting candidates; and
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39.  Power  to  transfer petition.__  (1)  The  Commissioner,  either  of  his own  motion or  on  an
application made in this behalf by any of the parties, may, at any stage, transfer an election petition
from one Tribunal to an other Tribunal, and the Tribunal to which the election petition is so transfer red
shall proceed with the trial of the petition from the stage at which it is transferred:
(b) any other candidate against whom any allegation, if any, of any corrupt or illegal practice
is made, and shall serve personally or by registered post on each such respondent a copy
of his Petition.
Explanation.__ In this section and in the following provisions of this Chap ter, "corrupt or illegal
practice" means a "corrupt practice" or an "illegal practice" within the meaning of Chapter VI.
36. Contents of petition.­ (1) Every election petition shall contain__
(a) a precise statement of the material facts on which the petitioner relies;
(b) full particulars of any corrupt or illegal practice or other illegal act alleged to have been
committed, including as full a statement as possible of the names of the parties alleged to
have committed such corrupt or illegal practice or illegal act and the date and place of the
commission of such practice or act; and.
(c) the relief claimed by the petitioner.
(2) A petitioner may claim as relief any of the following declarations, namely__
(a) that the election of the returned candidate is void; or
(b) that the election of the returned candidate is void and that the peti tioner or some other
person has been duly elected; or
(c) that the election as a whole is void.
(3) Every  election petition and every  schedule or annex  to that  petition shall be signed by the
petitioner and verified in the manner laid down in the Code of civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908).
for the verification of pleadings.
37.  Procedure  on  receipt  of  petition  by  the  Commissioner.__  (1)  The  Commissioner shall
return an election petition to the petitioner if he finds that it has not been presented within the time
specified in section 34 or is not accompanied by a receipt of the deposit required to be made under
that section.
(2) If an election petition is not returned under sub­section (1) the Com missioner shall refer it for
trial to a Tribunal.
38.  Appointment  of  Tribunal.__  (1)  For  the  trial  of  election  petitions  under  this  Act  the
Commissioner shall appoint as many Election Tribunals as may be necessary.
(2) A Tribunal shall consist of a person who is a Judge of a High Court.
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Provided that the Tribunal to which an election petition is so transferred may, if it thinks fit, recall
and examine any of the witnesses already examined.
40. Place  of trial. The trial of an election petition shall be held at such place or places as the
Tribunal may think fit.
41. Advocate­General to assist the Tribunal. The Advocate­General for a Province shall, if a
Tribunal so requires, assist the Tribunal at the hearing of an election petition in such manner as it may
require.
42. Appearance before Tribunal. Any appearance,  application or act before a Tribunal may be
made or done by a party in person or by an advocate or any other person entitled or allowed to plead
in any civil Court and duly appointed to act on his behalf:
Provided  that  the  Tribunal may,  where  it considers it necessary,  direct  any  party  to  appear  in
person.
43. Procedure before Tribunal.­ 1[(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, every
election petition shall be tried, as nearly as may be tried, in accordance with the procedure laid down
by the 2[Commissioner].]
*          *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the 3[Qanun­e­Shahdat Order, 1984 (P.O.No.X of 1984)
(I of 1872) shall apply for the trial of an election petition.
(3) The Tribunal may, at any time, upon such terms and on payment of such fee as it may direct,
allow, a petition to be amended in such manner as may, in its opinion, be necessary for ensuring a fair
and effective trial and for determining the real questions at issue, so however that no new ground of
challenge to the election is permitted to be raised.
(4) At any time during the trial of an election petition, the Tribunal may call upon the petitioner to
deposit such further sum by way of security, in addition to the sum deposited under section 34, as it
may think fit.
            44. Dismissal of petition during trial.__The Tribunal shall dismiss an elec tion petition, if__
(a) the provisions of section 35 or section 36 have not been complied with; or
(b) the petitioner fails to make the further deposit required under sub­ section (4) of section
43.
45. Powers of the Tribunal.__ (1) The Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil Court trying a
suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908), and shall be deemed to be a civil Court
within the meaning of sections 4[476] 480 and 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V
of 1898).
1Subs. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1985 (10 of 1985),s.2. 
2Subs. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986), s.3. 
3Subs. by Ord. 52 of 02,s.10. 
4Ins.by Act 10 of 1985, s.3.
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(2) For the purpose of enforcing attendance of witnesses, the local limit of the jurisdiction of the
Tribunal shall be the territories to which this Act extends.
46. Further provision relating to evidence and witnesses.__(1) Not withstanding anything to the
contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force, no document shall be inadmissible in
evidence  at  the  trial  of  an  election  petition  only  on  the  ground  that  it  is  not  duly  stamped  or
registered.
(2)  No  witness  shall  be  excused  from  answering any  question  as,  to  any  matter  in  issue,  or
relevant to a matter in issue, in the trial of all election peti tion upon the ground that the answer to
such question way incriminate or tend to incriminate him or that it may expose or tend to expose him
to any penalty or forfeiture, but no witness shall be required or permitted to state for whom he has
voted at an election.
(3) A witness who answers truly all questions which he is required to answer shall be entitled to
receive a certificate of indemnity from the Tribunal and an answer given by him to a question put by
or before the Tribunal shall not, except in the case of any criminal proceeding for perjury in respect
of his evidence, be admissible in evidence against him in any civil or criminal pro ceedings.
(4) A certificate  of indemnity granted to any witness under sub­section (3) may be pleaded by
him in any Court and shall be a full and complete defence to or upon any charge under Chapter IX­A
of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) or under this Act arising cut of the matter to which
such  certi ficate  relates  but  it  shall  not  be  deemed  to  relieve  him  from  any  disqualifica tion  in
connection with an election imposed by any law for the time being in force.
(5) The reasonable expenses incurred by any person in attending to give evidence may be allowed
to him by the Tribunal and shall, unless the Tribunal otherwise directs, be deemed to be part of the
costs.
47. Recrimination where seat is claimed.__ (1) Where  in an election petition a declaration is
claimed  that  a  candidate  other  than,  the  returned  candi date  has  been  duly  elected,  the  returned
candidate or any other party may produce evidence to prove that the election of such other candidate
would have been declared void had he been the returned candidate and had a petition been presented
calling his election in question:
Provided that the returned candidate or such other party as aforesaid shall not be entitled to give
such evidence unless he or it has within the fourteen days next following the commencement of the
trial, given notice to the Tribunal of his or its intention so to do anti has also deposited the security
referred to in section 34.
(2) Every notice referred to in sub­section (1) shall be accompanied by a statement of the case,
and all the provisions relating to the contents, Verifica tion, trial and procedure of an election petition,
or to the security deposit in respect of an election petition, shall apply to such a statement as if it were
all election petition.
48. Decision  of the Tribunal.__ (1)  The Tribunal may,  upon  the  con clusion of  the  trial of  an
election petition, make an order__
(a) dismissing the petition;
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(b) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void;
(c) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void and the petitioner or any offer
contesting candidate to have been duly elected; or
(d) declaring the election as a whole to be void.
1[(1A) The trial of the election petition shall proceed day to day and the decision thereof shall be
taken by the Tribunal within four months form the date of its receipt from the Commissioner.
Provided  that  where  the  delay  in  the  proceeding  is  occasioned  by  any  act  or  omission of  a
returned candidate or any other person acting on his behalf the Tribunal may refer to the Commission
that such candidate may be declared to have ceased to perform the functions of his office either till
the conclusion of the proceedings or for such period as the Commission may direct.]
(2) Save as provided in sub­section (3), the decision of a Tribunal on an election petition shall be
final.
(3)  Any  person  aggrieved  by  a  decision  of  the  Tribunal,  may,  within  thirty  days  of  the
announcement of the decision, appeal to the Supreme Court on any question, whether of law or fact,
arising from the decision.
49. Ground for declaring election of returned candidate void.__ (1) The Tribunal shall declare
the election of the returned candidate to be void if it is satisfied that __
(a) the nomination of the returned candidate was invalid; or
(b) the returned candidate was not, on the nomination day, qualified for, or was disqualified
from, being elected as a member; or
(c) the election of the  returned candidate  has been  procured  or induced by any corrupt  or
illegal practice; or
(d) a corrupt or illegal practice has been committed by the returned candidate or by any other
person with the consent or connivance of the candidate.
(2) The election of a returned candidate shall not be declared void on the ground__
(a) that any corrupt or illegal practice has been committed if the Tribunal is satisfied that it
was not committed by, or with the consent or connivance of,
1Ins. by Ord. 50 of 02, s.11.
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that candidate and that the candidate took all reasonable precaution to prevent its commission; or
(b) that any of the other contesting candidates was, on the nomination day, not qualified for,
or was disqualified from, being elected as a member.
50. Ground for declaring  a person other  than a returned candidate elected.  The Tribunal
shall  declare  the  election  of  the  returned  candidate  to  be  void  and  the  petitioner  or  any  other
contesting candidate  to  have  been  duly elected,  if it is so claimed by the  petitioner or any  of the
respondents and the Tribunal is satisfied that  the petitioner or such other contesting candidate  was
entitled to be declared elected.      
51. Ground for declaring election as a whole void. The Tribunal shall declare the election as a
whole to be void if it is satisfied that the result of the election has been materially affected by reason
of__
(a) the failure of any person to comply with the provisions of this Act or the rules; or
(b) the prevalence of extensive corrupt or illegal practice at the election.
52. Other provisions relating to tribunal.__ (1) An order of a Tribunal under section 48 shall
take effect on the date on which it is made and shall be communicated to the Commissioner who shall
publish it in the official Gazette.
(2) The Tribunal shall, after an election petition has been disposed of, forward the record thereof
to the Commissioner who shall retain it for a period of five years from the date of its receipt and shall
thereafter cause it to be destroyed.
53. Withdrawal of petition.__ (1) An election petition may be with drawn__
(a) before a Tribunal has been appointed, by leave of the Commissioner; and
(b) after a Tribunal has been appointed, by leave of the Tribunal.
(2)  Where  leave  is  granted  by  the  Tribunal,  the  petitioner  shall be  ordered  to  pay  the  costs
incurred by the respondents to the election petition or such portion thereof as the Tribunal may direct.
54. Abatement on death of petitioner.__ (1) An election petition shall abate on the death of the
petitioner or the sole survivor of several petitioners.
(2) Where a petition abates under sub­section (1) after a Tribunal has been appointed, notice of
the abatement shall be given by, the Tribunal to the Commissioner.
55.  Death or  withdrawal  of respondent. If,  before  the  conclusion of  the  trial of  an  election
petition, a respondent dies or gives notice in the prescribed form that he does not intend to contest the
petition, and no respondent re mains to contest  the  petition, the  Tribunal shall, without any further
hearing, or after giving such person as it may think fit an opportunity of being heard, decide the case
ex parte. 
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56. Failure of petitioner to appear. Where, at any stage of the trial of an election petition, no
petitioner  makes  an  appearance,  the  tribunal may dismiss the  petition for  default,  and  make  such
order as it may think fit.
1[56A. Additional powers of the Tribunal.__(1) If a Tribunal is, on the  basis of any material
coming to  its  knowledge from  any  source  or  an  information  laid before  it,  of  the  opinion that  a
returned  candidate  was  a  defaulter  of  loan,  taxes,  Government  dues  or  utility  charges,  or  has
submitted a false or incorrect declaration regarding the payment of loan, taxes, Government dues or
utility charges, or has submitted a  false or incorrect  statement  of assets and  liabilities of his own,
spouse and dependents,  under section 11, it may, its own motion or otherwise, call upon any such
candidate to show cause why his election should not be declared void and, if it is satisfied that such
candidate  is defaulter  or  has  submitted false  or  incorrect  declaration  as  aforesaid,  it may  without
prejudice  to  any  order  that  may  be,  or  has  been,  made  on  an  election  petition,  or  any  other
punishment, penalty or liability which such candidate may have incurred under this Act or under any
other law for the time being in force, make an order__
(i) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void; or
(ii)  declaring the  election  or  the  returned  candidate  to  be  void  and  any  other  contesting
candidate to have been duly elected.
(2) If on examining the material or information referred to in sub­section (1), a Tribunal finds that
there appear reasonable grounds for believing that a returned candidate is a defaulter or has submitted
false or incorrect declaration referred  to in sub­section (1), it may, pending decision of the motion
under sub­section (1), direct that  the  result of the  returned  candidate  shall not be published in the
official Gazette.
(3) No order under sub­section (1) or sub­section (2) shall made unless the returned candidate has
been provided an opportunity or being heard.]
57. Order  as to costs.__ (1) The Tribunal shall, when  making an  order  under  section 48, also
make an order determining in its discretion the costs and specifying the persons by and to whom such
costs are to be paid.
(2) If, in any order as to costs under sub­section (1), there is a direction for the payment of costs
by any party to any person, such costs shall, if they have not already been paid, be payable in full,
and shall upon application in writing in that behalf made to the Commissioner within six months of
the  order  by the  person to whom costs have  been  awarded,  be  paid as far  as possible, out  of the
security for costs deposited by such party.
(3) where no costs have been awarded against a party who has deposited security for costs, or
where no application for payment of costs has been made within the aforesaid six months, or where a
residue remains after costs have been paid out of the security, such security or the residue thereof, as
the case may be, shall, upon application in writing therefore by the person who made the deposit or
by his legal representative, be returned by the Commissioner to the person making the application.
1Ins. by Ord.50 of 02,s.12.
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(4) Any order for costs may be enforced upon application in writing made to the principle civil
court  of  original jurisdiction  of  the  district  in  which  the  person  from  whom  the  costs  are  to  be
recovered resides or owns property, as if such order were a decree passed by the court:
Provided that  no proceeding shall be brought under this sub­section except  in respect  of costs
which have not been recovered by an application under sub­section (2).
______
CHAPTER VI­OFFENCES, PENALTY AND PROCEDURE
58. Corrupt practice. A person is guilty of corrupt practice if he __
(a) contravenes the provisions of section 28;
1[(aa) files a false or incorrect declaration or statement under sub­section (2) of section 11.]
(b) is guilty of bribery, personation or undue influence;
(c) makes or publishes a false statement__
(i) concerning the personal character of a candidate or any of his rela tions calculated to
adversely affect the election of such candidate or for 'the purpose of promoting or
procuring the election of another candidate, unless he proves that he had reasonable
grounds for believing, and did believe, the statement to be true; or
(ii) regarding the withdrawal of candidate;
(d) calls upon or persuades any person to vote, or to refrain from voting for any candidate on
the  ground that  he  belongs to  ,to  a  particular  religion, community,  race,  caste,  sect  or
tribe;
(e) knowingly, in order to support or oppose a candidate, lets, lends, employs, hires, borrows
or uses any vehicle or vessel for the purpose of conveying to or from the polling station
any voter except himself and members of his immediate family ; or
(f) causes or attempts to cause any person present and waiting to vote at the polling station to
depart without voting.
1Ins. by Ord. 50 of 02,s.13.
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59. Bribery. A person is guilty of bribery if he directly or indirectly by himself or by any other
person on his behalf,___
(1) receives or agrees to receive or contracts  for any gratification for voting or refraining from
voting, or for being or refraining from being a candidate at, or for with drawing from, an election;
(2) gives, offers or promises any gratification to any person __
 (a) for the purpose of inducing__
(i) a person to be, or to refrain from being, a candidate at an election ;.
(ii) a voter to vote, or refrain from voting, at an election; or
(iii) a candidate to withdraw from an election ; or
(b) for the purpose of rewarding__
(i)  a  person  for  having  been,  or  for  having  refrained  from  being,  a  candi date  at  an
election;   
(ii) a voter for having voted or refrained from voting at an election; or
(iii) a candidate for having withdrawn from an election.
Explanation.­  In  this  section  "gratification"  includes  a  gratification  in  money  or  estimable  in
money and all forms of entertainment or employment.
60. Personation. A person is guilty of personation if he votes or applies for a ballot paper for
voting, as some other person whether that other person is living or dead or fictitious.
61. Undue influence. A person is guilty of undue influence if he,__
(1) in order to induce or compel any person in to the or refrain from voting, or to offer himself as
a candidate, or to withdraw his candidature, at an election, directly or indirectly, by himself or is by
another person on his behalf,__
(a) makes or threatens to make use of any force, violence or restraint;
(b) inflicts or threatens to inflict any injury, damage, harm or loss;
(c) calls down or threatens to call down divine displeasure or the dis pleasure of any saint or
pir;
(d) gives or threatens to give any religious sentence; or
(e) uses or threatens to use any official influence or governmental pat ronage ; or
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(2) on account of any person having voted or refrained from voting, or having offered himself as
a candidate, or having withdrawn his candidature, does any of the acts specified in clause (1). ; or
(3) by abduction, duress or any fraudulent device or contrivance,__
(a) impedes or prevents the free exercise of the franchise by a voter; or
(b) compels, induces or prevails upon any voter to vote or refrain from voting.
Explanation.__  In  this  section,  "harm"  includes  social  ostracism  or  ex­ communication  or
expulsion from any caste or community.
62. Penalty for corrupt practice. Any person guilty of corrupt practice shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 1[five] years, or with fine which may extend to 1[one
million] thousand rupees, or with both.
63. Illegal practice.­ (1) A person is guilty of illegal practice if he__
(a) fails to comply with the provisions of section 29 ;
(b) obtain or procures, or attempts to obtain or procure, the assistance of any person in the
service of Pakistan to further or hinder the election of a candidate ;
(c) votes or applies for a ballot paper for voting at an election knowing that he is not qualified
for, is disqualified from, voting ;
(d)  votes  or  applies for  a  ballot paper  for  voting for  more  than  once  in the  same  polling
station;
 (e) removes a ballot paper from a polling station during the poll ; or
(f) knowingly induces or procures any person to do any of the aforesaid acts.
(2) A person guilty of illegal practice shall be punishable with 2[imprisonment for a term which
may extend to six months and fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.]
64. Prohibition of public meetings, etc., during certain period.__ (1) No person shall convene,
hold or attend  any public meeting, and no person shall promote or join in any procession within a
Province, during a period of forty­ eight hours ending at midnight following the conclusion of the poll
for any election in that Province.
(2)  Any  person  who  contravenes  the  provisions  of  sub­section  (1)  shall  be  punishable  with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with find which may extend to
one thousand rupees, or with both.
1Subs. by Ord. 50 of 2002, s.14. 
2Subs. by Ord. 50 of 02, s.15.
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65.  Prohibition  of  canvassing in  or  near  polling  station.  A  person  is  guilty of  an  offence
punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees if he, within a radius of four hundred
yards of the polling station, on the polling day,__
(a) canvasses for votes ;
(b) persuades any voter not to vote at the election or for a particular candidate ; or
(c) exhibits, except with the permission of the Returning Officer and at a place reserved for
the candidate beyond the radius of one hundred yards of the polling station, any notice,
sign, banner  or flag designed to encourage the  voters to vote,  or discourage the  voters
from voting, for any contesting candidate.
66. Disorderly conduct near polling station. A person is guilty of an offence punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one
thousand rupees, or with both, if he, on the polling day,__
(a)  uses,  in  such  manner  as  to  be  audible  within  the  polling station,  any  gramophone,
megaphone, loudspeaker or other apparatus for reproducing or amplifying sounds;
(b) persistently shouts in such manner as to be audible within the polling station ;
(c) does any act which__
(i) disturbs or causes annoyance to any voter visiting a polling station for the purpose of
voting, or
(ii)  interferes  with  the  performance  of  the  duty  of  a  Returning  Officer  or  a  Polling
Officer or any other person performing any duty at a polling station ; or
(d) abets the doing of any of the aforesaid acts.
67. Tampering with papers.__ (1) Except as provided in sub­section (2), a person is guilty of an
offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which
may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, if he__
(a) intentionally defaces or destroys any nomination paper, ballot paper or official mark on a
ballot paper;
(b) intentionally takes out of the polling station any ballot paper or puts into any ballot box
any ballot paper other than the ballot paper he is authorised by law to put in;
(c) without due authority__
(i) supplies any ballot paper to any person;
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(ii) destroys, takes, opens or otherwise interferes with any ballot box or packet of ballot
papers in use for the purpose of election; or
(iii) breaks any seal affixed in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules;
(d) forges any ballot paper or official mark; or
(e) causes any delay or interruption in the beginning, conduct or comple tion of the procedure
required to be immediately carried out on the close of the poll.
(2) A Returning Officer, Polling Officer or any other Officer or clerk on duty in connection with
the election who is guilty of an offence under sub­ section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or
with both.
68. Interference with the secrecy of voting. A person is guilty of an offence  punishable with
imprisonment for a  term which may extend  to  six months, or with fine which may extend  to  one
thousand rupees, or with both, if he—
(a) interferes or attempts to interfere with a voter when he records his vote;
(b)  in any  manner  obtains  or  attempts  to  obtain  in a  polling station  information as  to  the
candidate or candidates for whom a voter is about to vote or mark his preferences or has
voted and marked his preferences; or
(c) communicates at any time any information obtained in a polling station as to the candidate
or candidates for whom a voter is about to vote or mark his preferences or has voted and
marked his preferences.
69. Failure  to maintain secrecy. A Returning Officer  or  Polling Officer,  or  any  candidate  or
agent of a candidate attending a polling station or any person attending at the counting of votes, is
guilty of an offence  punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend  to six months, or
with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, if he__
(1) fails to maintain or aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting ;
(2) communicates to any person before the poll is closed, except for any purpose authorised by
any law, any information as to the official mark; or
(3)  communicates  any  information obtained  at  the  counting of  votes  as  to  the  candidates  for
whom any vote is given or a preference is recorded on any particular ballot paper.
70. Officials not to influence voters. A Returning Officer, Polling Officer or any other officer or
clerk on duty in connection with an election, or any member of a police force, is guilty of an offence
punishable with imprison ment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may
extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, if he, in the conduct or manage ment of an election or
maintenance of order at a polling station,__
(a) persuades any person to give his vote;
(b) dissuades any person from giving his vote;
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(c) influences in any manner the voting of any person; or
(d) does any other act calculated to influence the result of the election.
71. Breaches of official duty in connection with election. A Returning Officer, Polling Officer
or any other person employed by any such officer in connection with his official duties imposed by or
under  this Act  or  the  rules is guilty of  an  offence  punishable with fine which may extend  to  one
thousand rupees if he, wilfully and without reasonable cause,  commits breach  of any such official
duty, by act or omission.
72.  Assistance  by  Government servant.  A  person  in  the  service  of  Pakistan  is  guilty of  an
offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which
may extend  to  two  thousand  rupees,  or  with both,  if he  misuses his official position in a  manner
calculated to influence the result of the election.
73. Certain powers of a police officer. A police officer may__
(a)  arrest  without  warrant,  notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  Code  of  Criminal
Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), any person__
(i) who commits personation  or  an  offence  under  section  66  if the  Return ing Officer
directs him to so arrest such person;
(ii) who, being removed from the polling station by the Return ing Officer, commits any
offence at the polling station;
(b) remove any notice, sign, banner flag used in contravention of section 65; and
(c) seize any instrument or apparatus used in contravention of section 66;
and take such steps, including use of force, as may be reasonably necessary for preventing such
contravention.
74.  Certain  offences cognizable.___  1[(1)]Notwithstanding anything contained  in the  Code  of
Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), an offence under section 58 or section 65 or sub­section
(1) of section 67 shall be a cognizable offence.
1[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force,
the offences of corrupt practice shall be tried by the Sessions Judge a appeal against his order shall lie
before a Division Bench of the High Court.
(3) Where a proceeding against a person for being involved in corrupt practice is initiated on a
complaint made by a private individual, and such person is convicted by the court and his conviction
is maintained in final appeal,  the  complainant may be  entitled  to  such  reward  payable  out  of  the
amount of fine as may be imposed by the court:
Provide  that  where  such  complaint proves  to  be  false,  mala fide,  or  is made  for  any  ulterior
motive to provide benefit to another person, the complainant shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.]
1Renumbered and amended by Ord. 50 of 02,s.16.
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75.  Prosecution  for  offences by  public  officers.­  (1)  No  court  shall  take  cognizance  of  an
offence under sub­section (2) of section 67, section 69, section 70, section 71 or section 72, except
upon a complaint in writing made by order of, or under authority from, the Commissioner.
(2) The Commissioner shall, if he has reasons to believe that any offence specified in sub­section
(1) has been committed, cause such inquiries to be made or prosecution to be instituted as he may
think fit.
1[75A.  Court  proceeding  relating  to  election  expenses.__The  Commissioner shall direct  the
Returning Office to initiate proceeding in the appropriate court against the person who contravenes
the provisions of section 28 or fails to comply with the provisions of section 29.]
76. Limitation for prosecution for corrupt or illegal practices. No prosecu tion for an offence
under section 58 or section 65 shall be commenced except__
(a) within six months of the commission of the offence; or
(b) if the election at which the offence was committed in subject to an election petition and
the Tribunal has made an order in respect of such offence, within three months of the date
of such order.
______
CHAPTER VII­BYE­ELECTION
77. Casual vacancies.__ 2[(1)] When, before the expiration of the term of office of a member
elected to the Senate, his seat becomes vacant or is declared vacant or his election to the Senate is
declared void, the Commissioner shall, by notification in the official Gazette, call upon the elected
members of the Provincial Assembly by the members of which the member was elected  to elect a
person for the purpose of filling the vacancy so caused before such date as may be specified in the
notification; and the provisions of this Act and of the rules shall apply, as far as may be, in relation to
the election of a member to fill such vacancy.
2[(2)  When  the  seats  of  two  or  more  members who  were  elected  to  the  Senate  by  the  same
Provincial Assembly and whose term of office was due to expire on the same day become vacant
simultaneously, elections to fill such seats may be held together.]
________
1Ins by Ord. 50 of 02, s.17. 
2Re­numbered and added by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1977 (17 of 1977), s.2.
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CHAPTER VIII­DISQUALIFICATIONS
78.  Disqualification. A  person  shall be  disqualified from  being elected  as  and  from  being, a
member of the Senate, if__
1[(a) he is of unsound mind and has been so declared by a competent court, or
 
(b) he is an undischarged insolvent; or
 
(c) he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of a foreign State; or
 (d) he holds an office of profit in the service of Pakistan other than an office declared by law
not to disqualify its holder; or
 
(e) he is in the service of any statutory body or anybody which is owned or controlled by the
Government or in which the Government has a controlling share or interests; or
 (f) he being a citizen of Pakistan by virtue of section 14B of the Pakistan Citizenship Act,
1951 (II of 1951), he is for the time being disqualified under any law in force in Azad
Jammu and Kashmir from being elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Azad
Jammu and Kashmir; or
 (g) he  is propagating any  opinion, or acting in any  manner, prejudicial to the  Ideology of
Pakistan,  or  the  sovereignty,  integrity  or  security  of  Pakistan,  or  morality,  or  the
maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the Judiciary or Pakistan,
or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan; or
  (h)  he  has  been  convicted  by  a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction on  a  charge  of  corrupt
practice, moral turpitude or misuse of power or authority under any law for the time being
in force; or
 (i) he has been dismissed from the service of Pakistan or service of a corporation or office
set  up  or  controlled  by  the  Federal  Government,  Provincial  Government  or  a  local
government on the grounds of misconduct involving moral turpitude; or
 (j) he has been removed or compulsorily retired from the service of Pakistan or service of a
corporation  or  office  set  up  or  controlled  by  the  Federal  Government,  Provincial
Government  or  a  local  Government  on  the  grounds  of  misconduct  involving  moral
turpitude: or
(k) he has been  in the  service of Pakistan  or of any  statutory  body or any  body which is
owned or controlled by the  Government or in which the  Government has a controlling
share of interest, unless a period of two years has elapsed since he ceased to be in such
service; or
1Subs. by Ord. 50 of 2002, s.18.
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(l) he, whether  by himself, or by any person or body of persons in trust for him or for his
benefit or on his account or as a member of a Hindu undivided family, has any share or
interest  in  a  contract,  not  being  a  contract  between  a  cooperative  society  and
Government, for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any contract  or for the
performance of any service undertaken by, Government:
Provided that the disqualification under this paragraph shall not apply to a person­­
  (i)  where  the  share  or  interest  in  the  contract  devolves  on  him  by  inheritance  or
succession  or  as  a  legatee,  executor  or  administrator,  until  the  expiration  of  six
months after it has so devolved on him;
 (ii) where the contract  has been entered  into by or on behalf of a public company as
defined  in  the  Companies  Ordinance,  1984  (XLVII  of  1984),  of  which  he  is  a
shareholder but is not a director holding an office of profit under the company; or
 
(iii)  where  he  is a  member  of  a  Hindu undivided family and  the  contract  has  been
entered  into  by  any  other  member  of  that  family in  the  course  of  carrying  on  a
separate business in which he has no share or interests; or
Explanation.__In this Article "goods" does not include agricultural produce or commodity grown
or produced by him or such goods as he is ,under any directive of Government or any law for the time
being in force, under a duty or obligation to supply.
 (m) he holds any office of profit in the service of Pakistan other than the following offices
namely:__
 (i) an office which is not whole time office remunerated either by salary or by fee;
 (ii) the office of Lumbardar, whether called by this or any other title;
(iii) the Qaumi Razakars;
 
(iv)  any  office  the  holder  whereof,  by  virtue  of  such  office,  is liable to  be  called  up  for
military training or military service under any law providing for the constitution or raising
of a Force: or
 
(n)  he  has  been  convicted  and  sentenced  to  imprisonment  for  having  absconded  by  a
competent court under any law for the time being in force; or
 (o) he  has obtained  a  loan for an  amount of two million rupees  or more, from any  bank,
financial institution, cooperative society or cooperative body in his own name or in the
name of his spouse or any of his dependents, which stands unpaid for more than one year
from the due date or has had such loan written off; or
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(p) he or his spouse or any of his dependents has defaulted in payment of government dues
and utility charges, including telephone electricity, gas and water charges of an amount in
excess of ten thousand rupees, for over six months; or
(q) he is for the  time being disqualified from being elected  or chosen  as a  member of the
Majlis­e­Shoora (Parliament) or of a Provincial Assembly under the Constitution or any
law for the time being in force.]
Explanation.­ For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that a Judge of the Supreme Court
or a High Court, the Auditor­General and an Advocate­General are persons holding office of profit in
the service of Pakistan.
79. Disqualification on account of certain offences.__ 1[(1)] Where a person has been convicted
for having exceeded the limit of election expenses laid down by section 28 or having failed to file the
return of election expenses in accor dance with section 29 or for any other offence under this Act, not
being an offence for which he has been sentenced  to imprisonment for a term of not less than two
years,  or  has  been  found  guilty of  any  corrupt  or  illegal practice  by  a  Tribunal,  he  shall, if  the
Commissioner makes an order to that effect, be disqualified, for such period not exceeding five years
as may be specified in the order, from being, or being elected as, a member of the Senate.
1[(2) Where  a person has been  convicted  for an offence  punishable under section 171J of the
Pakistan Penal Code Act 1860 (XLV of 1860) he shall be disqualified for a period of seven years
from being elected as, a member of the Senate.]
80. Removal and remission of disqualification. The Commissioner may, on an application made
in this behalf, remit any disqualification for failure to submit the return of election expenses or for
any error or incorrect statement in such return, if he is satisfied that such failure or error occurred or
incorrect statement was made due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant.
______
CHAPTER IX.__ MISCELLANEOUS
81. Extension of time for completion of election. It shall be competent for the Commissioner,
for reasons which he considers sufficient, to extend the time for the completion of any election by
making necessary amendments in the notification issued under section 10.
82. Term of Office.__(1) The term of office of a member of the Senate shall commence on the
date of the first meeting of the Senate held after the names of the persons elected to the Senate are
notified by the Election Commission :
Provided that the term of office of a member elected in the year 1973 and having a term of four
years shall expire after completion of four years from the date of making the oath under Article 65.
1Re­numbered and added by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (56 of 1984),s.2.
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(2) If the election of a member is declared void and another candidate is declared to have been
duly elected in his place, the term of such candidate shall be the unexpired term of such member.
(3) If the election of all the members declared elected under section 18 is section 25 is declared
void, the  term of the  members elected  in their places shall be the  unexpired term of the  members
whose election is declared void.
1[82A Drawing of lots for determining term of office of individual members.__ (1) For the
purpose  of  dividing the  members  2[into  two  groups],  the  Commissioner  shall  draw  lots  in  the
prescribed manner and in the presence of such members or persons authorised by them in writing as
may be present, after notifying in the official Gazette the time and place of drawing of lots.
(2) The term of office of each member determined under sub­section (1) shall be notified by the
Commissioner in the official Gazette.
(3)  If  the  election  of  a  member  whose  term  of  office  is  determined  under  sub­section  (1)  is
declared void and another candidate is declared to have been duly elected in his place, the term of
such candidate shall be the unexpired term of such member.
(4) If the election of all the members 3** * is declared void, the members elected in their place
shall be divided into two groups and the term of their office determined and notified in the manner
specified in sub­sections (1) and (2):
Provided that  the  term of office of the  members so elected  shall be the  unexpired term of the
members of the respective groups].
83. Vacancy in membership of Provincial Assemblies not to invalidate election. No election
by the  members of a Provincial Assembly shall be called in question on the  ground merely of the
existence of any vacancy in the membership of that Provincial Assembly.
84. Commissioner to ensure fair election,  etc. Save as otherwise provided, the Commissioner
may issue such instructions and exercise such powers includ ing the power to review an order passed
by any officer under this Act or the rules, and make such consequential orders, as may, in his opinion,
be necessary for ensuring that an election is conducted honestly, justly and fairly and in accordance
with the provisions of this Act and the rules.
85. Directions of Commissioner in certain matters. Anything required to be done to carry out
the purposes of this Act for which no provision or no sufficient provision exists shall be done by such
authority and in such manner as the Commissioner may direct.
1Ins. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1977 (17 of 1977),s.3. 
2Subs. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986) s.4. 
3Omitted by the Senate (Elelction) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986) s.4.
Page 32 of 34


86. Jurisdiction  of courts barred. No court shall question the  legality of any action taken  in
good faith by, or under the authority of, the Commissioner, a Returning Officer or a Polling Officer or
any decision given by any of them or by any other officer or authority appointed under this Act or the
rules.
87. Protection or action taken in good faith. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall
lie against the Commissioner or any officer or other person in respect of anything which is in good
faith done or intended to be done under or in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made, or
direction given, thereunder.
88.  Power  to  make  rules.__  (1)  The  Federal  Government  may,  in  consulta tion  with  the
Commissioner, make rules1 for carrying out the purpose of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:–
(a) the duties of Returning Officers and Polling Officers at polling stations;
(b) the identification of voters;
(c) the manner in which votes are  to be given both, generally and in, the  case  of illiterate
voters or voters under physical or other disability;
(d) the procedure as to voting to be followed at elections held in accordance with the system
of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote;
(e) the scrutiny and counting of votes, including cases in which a recounting of votes should
be made before the declaration of the result of election;
(f) the  safe custody of ballot boxes, ballot papers and other  election papers, the  period for
which such papers shall be preserved and the inspection and production of such papers;
(g) the appointment of agents of candidates; and
(h) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed under this Act.
 
 
___________________
1For the Senate (Election) Rules, 1975, see S.R.O. 725(I)/75, dated 28­6­75, Gaz. of P
., 1975, Ext., (Islamabad) Pt. II, pp.1305­1308.
Page 33 of 34


Page 34 of 34

This earlier extraction is preserved for provenance. The reading edition above was recovered or corrected against the identified original source. Earlier text SHA-256: a0aef808b93e6ef29747486de0fcf3079891c2009a2066343e0716cc9dced4e7.

                       THE SENATE (ELECTION) ACT, 1975




                                         CONTENTS

                                          CHAPTER I
                                       PRELIMINARY
1.    Short title and commencement.
2.    Definitions.
                               CHAPTER II
              ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY FOR THE CONDUCT OF
                              ELECTIONS.
3.    Organisation and conduct of election.
4.    Delegation of powers.
5.    Returning officers.
6.    Polling stations.
7.    Polling officers.
8.    Duties and powers of returning officer.
                                       CHAPTER III
                                   CONDUCT OF ELECTION
9.    Supply of list of voters.
10.   Notification for election.
11.   Nomination for election.
12.   Deposit.
13.   Scrutiny.
14.   Publication of the list of candidates.
15.   Withdrawal.
16.   Death of a candidate after nomination.
17.   Postponement etc, under certain circumstances.
18.   Uncontested election.
19.   Contested election.
20.   Hours of poll.
21.   Absence of candidates, etc, not to invalidate acts, etc.
22.   Adjourned poll.
23.   Voting procedure.

                                           Page 1 of 34
24.    Proceedings at the close of poll.
25.    Declaration of result of election.
25A.   Yearly submission of statement of assest and liabilities.
26.    Return or forfeiture of deposit.
                                        CHAPTER IV
                                     ELECTION EXPENSES
27.    Election expenses.
28.    Restriction on election expenses.
29.    Return of election expenses.
30.    Inspection of returns, etc.
                                        CHAPTER V
                                     ELECTION DISPUTES
31.    Election not to be questioned except by election petition or appeal.
32.    Appeal against count.
33.    Commissioner to have certain powers of a court.
34.    Election petition.
35.    Parties to the petition.
36.    Contents of petition.
37.    Procedure on receipt of petition by the Commissioner.
38.    Appointment of Tribunal
39.    Power to transfer petition.
40.    Place of trial.
41.    Advocate­General to assist the Tribunal.
42.    Appearance before Tribunal.
43.    Procedure before T ribunal.
44.    Dismissal of petition during trial.
45.    Powers of the T ribunal.
46.    Further provision relating to evidence and witnesses.
47.    Recrimination where seat is claimed.
48.    Decision of the Tribunal.
49.    Ground for declaring election of returned candidate void.
50.    Ground for declaring a person other than a returned candidate elected.
51.    Ground for declaring election as a whole void.
52.    Other provisions relating to tribunal.
53.    Withdrawal of petition.
54.    Abatement on death of petitioner.
55.    Death or withdrawal of respondent.
56.    Failure of petitioner to appear.
56A.   Additional Powers of the Tribunal.
57.    Order as to costs.
                                       CHAPTER VI
                            OFFENCES, PENALTY AND ROCEDURE
58.    Corrupt practice.
                                             Page 2 of 34
59.     Bribery.
60.     Personation.
61.     Undue influence.
62.     Penalty for corrupt practice.
63.     Illegal practice.
64.     Prohibition of public meetings, etc., during certain period.
65.     Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station.
66.     Disorderly conduct near polling station.
67.     Tampering with papers.
68.     Interference with the secrecy of voting.
69.     Failure to maintain secrecy.
70.     Officials not to influence voters.
71.     Breaches of official duty in connection with election.
72.     Assistance by Government servant.
73.     Certain powers of a police officer.
74.     Certain Offences cognizable.
75.     Prosecution for offences by public officers.
76.     Limitation for prosecution for corrupt or illegal practices.
                                          CHAPTER VII
                                         BYE­ELECTION
77.     Casual vacancies.
78.     Disqualification.
79.     Disqualification on account of certain offences.
80.     Removal and remission of disqualification.
CHAPTER
        MISCELLANEOUS
IX
81.     Extension of time for completion of election.
82.     Term of office.
82A.    Drawing of lots for determining term of Office of individual members.
83.     Vacancy in membership of Provincial Assemblies not to invalidate election
84.     Commissioner to ensure fair election, etc.
85.     Directions of commissioner in certain matters.
86.     Jurisdiction of courts barred.
87.     Protection of action taken in good faith.
88.     Power to make rules.




                                              Page 3 of 34
                                                             SENATE (ELECTION) ACT, 1975

                                                                         1ACT No. LI OF 1975

                                     An Act to provide for the conduct of election to the Senate

                                                                                                                                                                 [2nd July 1975]

   WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the conduct of election to the Senate and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto ;

       It is hereby enacted as follows :­

                                                               CHAPTER I.__PRELIMINARY

   1. Short title and commencements.__ (1) This Act may be called the Senate (Election) Act,
1975.

       (2) It shall come into force at once.

        2. Definitions.__ (1) In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, __

              (a) "bye­election" means an election to fill a casual vacancy referred to pan section 77 ;

              (b) "candidate" means a person proposed as a candidate for election as a member ;

              (c) "Chairman" means Chairman of the Senate ;

              2[(cc) “Commission” means the Election Commission;


              (ccc) “Commissioner” means the Chief Election Commissioner;]

              (d) "contesting candidate" means a candidate who has been validly nominated for election as
                  a member and has not withdrawn his candidature ;

              (e) "election" means an election to the Senate other than a bye­election and includes an
                  election to fill the seat of a member which falls vacant on the expiration of his term ;

              (f) "election petition" means an election petition made under section 34;

              (g) "electoral roll" means an electoral roll prepared under the law relating to the preparation
                  and revision of electoral rolls for the time being in force ;



1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., 1975, Ext., Pt.III, p.619.

The Act has been applied to the Federally Administered T ribal Areas with certain modifications by S.R.O. 746(I)/75, dated the 7th July, 1975, see Gaz. of P., 1975, Ext., Pt.II, p. 1365.
2 Ins. by Ord.50 of 02,s.2.




                                                                                     Page 4 of 34
       (h) "member" means member of the Senate ;

       (i) "nomination day" means the day appointed under section 10 for the nomination of
           candidates ;

       (j) "polling day" means the day on which poll is taken for an election ;

       (k) "Polling Officer" means a Polling Officer appointed under sec tion 7 ;

       (l) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules ;

       (m) "returned candidate" means a candidate who has been declared elected as a member
          under this Act ;

       (n) "Returning Officer" means a Returning Officer appointed under section 5 and includes a
           Polling Officer acting as, or performing the functions of, Returning Officer ;

       (o) "rules" means rules made under this Act ;

       (p) "scrutiny day" means the day appointed under section 10 for the scrutiny of nomination
           papers ;

       (q) “voter”, means in relation to a Province, a person who is a member of the Provincial
           Assembly of that Province ; and

       (r) "withdrawal day" means the day appointed under section 10 on or before which
           candidature may be withdrawn.

    (2) Words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and also used in the Constitution shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, have the meanings assigned to them in the Constitution.

                                               _______

                    CHAPTER II.__ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY FOR

                                THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

    3. Organisation and conduct of election. Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, the
Commissioner shall regulate the procedure for organizing, and conducting an election in such manner
as he may deem fit.

    4. Delegation of powers. The Commissioner may authorise any of the officers subordinate to him
to exercise and perform all or any of his powers and functions under this Act.




                                            Page 5 of 34
   5. Returning Officers. For the purposes of an election, the Commissioner shall appoint a
Returning Officer for each Province.

    6. Polling Stations. The Commissioner shall provide a polling station for the purpose of
election members by the members of a Provincial Assembly.

   7. Polling Officers. The Commissioner shall, for the purpose of conducting an election, also
appoint such number of Polling Officers to assist the Returning Officer as he may consider necessary.

   8. Duties and powers of Returning Officer.__ (1) A Returning Officer shall conduct the poll in
accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules and shall exercise all necessary powers for
maintaining order at the polling station and shall report to the Commissioner any fact or incident
which may, in his opinion, affect the conduct or fairness of the Poll.

    (2) The Returning Officer may, during the course of the poll, entrust to any Polling Officer such
of his functions as may be specified by him ; and it shall be the duty of the Polling Officer to perform
the functions so entrusted.

   (3) The Returning Officer shall authorise one of the Polling Officers to act in his place if he is, at
any time during the poll, by reason of illness or other cause, not present at the polling station or is
unable to perform his functions.

    (4) The Returning Officer may, at any time during the poll, for reasons to be recorded in writing,
suspend any Polling Officer and make such arrangements as he may consider necessary for the
performance of the functions of the Officer so suspended.

    (5) It shall be the duty of a Returning Officer to do all such acts and things as may be necessary
for effectively conducting an election in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules.

                                                ______

                          CHAPTER III.__CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

    9. Supply of list of voters. The Commissioner shall provide the Returning Officer with a list of
voters of the Province.

    10. Notification for election. __(1) For the purpose of an election, the Commissioner shall, by
notification in the official Gazette, call upon the members of the Provincial Assembly of a Province
to elect such number of members to the Senate from that Province as is specified in such notification.

    (2) The Commissioner shall in the same notification fix__

        (a) a day for the nomination of candidates ;

        (b) a day for the scrutiny of nomination papers ;

        (c) a day on or before which candidature may be withdrawn ; and




                                             Page 6 of 34
              (d) a day for the taking of the poll and the place at which the poll shall be taken.

    11. Nomination for election.__(1) A voter from a Province may propose or second the name of
any person qualified for election to the Senate from that Province.

       1[(2) Every nomination shall be made by a separate nomination paper in the prescribed form
signed both by the proposer and the seconder and shall, on solemn affirmation made and signed by
the candidate, accompany __

              (a) a declaration that he has consented to the nomination and that he fulfils the qualifications
                  specified in Article 62 of the Constitution and is not subject to any of the disqualifications
                  specified in Article 63 thereof or any other law for the time being in force for being
                  elected as member;

              (b) a declaration about his party affiliation, if any;

              (c) a declaration that no loan for an amount of two million rupees or more, obtained from any
                  bank, financial institution, cooperative society or corporate body in his own name or in
                  the name of his spouse or any of his dependents, or any business concern mainly owned
                  by him or the aforesaid; stands unpaid for more than one year from the due date, or has
                  got such loan written off;

              (d) a declaration that he, his spouse or any of his dependents or a business concern mainly
                  owned by him or the aforesaid, is not in default in payment of government dues or utility
                  charges, including telephone, electricity, gas and water charges of an amount in excess of
                  ten thousand rupees, for over six month, at the time of filing of nomination paper;

              (e) a statement specifying his educational qualifications, occupation, National Identity Card
                  number and National Tax Number, if any, alongwith attested copies thereof; and

              (f) a statement of his assets and liabilities and those of his spouse and dependents on the
                  prescribed form as on the preceding thirtieth day of June;

       Explanation._For the purpose of this section, the expression__

              (i) loan shall mean any loan, advance, credit of finance obtained or written off on or after the
                   31st day of December, 1985, but shall not include the loan the recovery of which has been
                   stayed or suspended by any order of a court or tribunal, including the High Court and the
                   Supreme Court;

1 Subs. and addded by Ord. 50 of 02, s.3.




                                                     Page 7 of 34
               (ii) “mainly owned” shall mean holding or controlling a majority interest in a business
                    concern;

               (iii) “taxes” include all taxes levied by Federal Government, Provincial Government or a
                    local government, but shall not include taxes that recovery of which has been stayed of
                    suspended by any order of a court or tribunal;

               (iv) “government dues and utility charges” shall, inter alia, include rent, charges of rest
                   houses or lodges owned by the Federal Governments, Provincial Government, local
                   governments or corporations established or controlled by such governments, but shall not
                   include the government dues and utilities charges the recovery of which has been stayed
                   or suspended by any order of a court or tribunal.]
       1[(3) Every nomination paper shall be delivered by the candidate in person to thhe Rerurning
Officer who shall amknowledge receipt of the nomination paper specifying the date and time of
receipt.]

       (4) A person may be nominated by more than one nomination papers.

    (5) Every proposal shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the relevant extract from the
electoral roll in which the name of the person nominated is enrolled.

       1[(6) The nomination form and accompanying declarations and statements shall be open to
inspection by the public, and copies thereof may be made available by the Commission in such
manner and on payment of such fee as may by prescribed.]

   12. Deposit.__ (1) Subject to the provisions of sub­section (2), no nomination paper delivered
under section 11 shall be accepted unless__

               (a) a sum of two thousand rupees is deposited in cash by the candidate or by any person on
                   his behalf at the time of its delivery ; or

               (b) it is accompanied by a receipt showing that a sum as aforesaid has been deposited by the
                   candidate or by any person on his behalf at any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan
                   or at a Government Treasury or sub­Treasury.

    (2) Not more than one deposit under sub­section (1) shall be required in the case of a person who
has been nominated as a candidate by more than one nomination papers.

    13. Scrutiny.__ (1) The candidates, their proposers and seconders, and an agent authorised in
writing in this behalf by each candidate, may attend the scrutiny of the nomination papers, and the
Returning Officer shall give them reasonable opportunity for examining all nomination papers
delivered to him under section 11.

1 Subs. by Ord. 82 of 02,s.2.




                                                  Page 8 of 34
    (2) The Returning Officer shall, in the presence of the persons attending the scrutiny under sub­
section (1), examine the nomination papers and decide any objection raised by any such person to
any nomination.

   (3) The Returning Officer may, either of his own motion or upon any objection, conduct such
summary inquiry as he may think fit and reject any nomination paper if he is satisfied that__

              (a) the candidate is not qualified to be elected as a member ;

              (b) the proposer or the seconder is not qualified to subscribe to the nomination paper ;

              (c) any provision of section 11 or section 12 has not been complied with 1[or submits any
                  false or incorrect declaration or statement in any material particular]; or

              (d) the signature of the proposer or seconder is not genuine :

       Provided that __

              (i) the rejection of a nomination paper shall not invalidate the nomination of a candidate by
                   any other valid nomination paper ;

              (ii) the Returning officer shall not reject a nomination paper on the ground of any defect
                   which is not of a substantial nature and may allow any such defect to be remedied
                   forthwith ; and

              (iii) the Returning Officer shall not inquire into the correctness or validity of any entry in the
                   electoral roll.

       1[(3A) The Returning Officer may, for the purpose of scrutiny, require any agency or authority to
produce any document or record.

    (3B) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub­section (3), where a candidate deposits any
amount of loan, tax or utility charges payable by him before rejection of his nomination paper on the
ground of default in payment of such loan, taxes or utility charges, such nomination paper shall not be
rejected for default thereof.]

    (4) The Returning Officer shall endorse on each nomination paper his decision accepting or
rejecting it and shall, in the case of rejection, record a brief statement of the reasons therefor.

1 Added and Ins. by Ord.50 of 02, s.4.




                                                    Page 9 of 34
       1[(5) Where the nomination of a candidate has been rejected under this section by a Returning

Officer, an appeal shall lie, within two days of the scrutiny day, to the Commissioner 2[or a member
of the Commission authorized by the Commissioner]; and any order passed by the Commissioner 2[or
such member as the case may be, [on such appeal 3[,after affording to the person referred to in sub­
section (1) an opportunity of being heard,] shall be final 2[:]]
       2[ Provided that where a nomination paper is rejected by the Returning Officer on the ground that
the candidate is defaulter of loan or taxes or government dues or utility charges or has had the loan
written off and the candidate pays such loan or , as the case may be, taxes, government dues or utility
charges or the written off loan on or before the last date fixed for disposal of appeals and satisfies the
Member of the Election Commission that such payment has been made, his nomination shall be
treated as having been accepted on that ground.

   (6) If the member of the Commission referred to in sub­section (5), is on the basis of information
or material coming to his knowledge from any source, satisfied that a candidate whose nomination
paper has been accepted is __

     (a) a defaulter of loans, taxes, government dues or utility charges or has had any loan written off
or is subject to any other disqualification from being elected as member of Senate, he may, on his own
motion, call upon such candidate to show cause why his nomination should not be rejected, and if he
is satisfied that the candidate is defaulter as aforesaid or has had a loan written off or is subject to any
disqualification, he may reject his nomination paper.]

    14. Publication of the list of candidates.__ (1) The Returning Officer shall, after the scrutiny of
nomination papers, prepare and publish in the prescribed manner a list of candidates who have been
validly nominated.

     (2) In case an appeal against rejection of a nomination paper is accepted by the Commissioner the
list of validly nominated candidates shall be revised accordingly.

    15. Withdrawals.__ (1) Any validly nominated candidate may, by notice in writing signed by him
and delivered on or before the withdrawal day to the Returning Officer either by such candidate in
person or by an agent authorised by him in writing in this behalf, withdraw his candidature.

   (2) A notice of withdrawal under sub­section (1) shall, in no circumstances, be open to recall or
cancellation..

    (3) On receiving a notice of withdrawal under sub­section (1), the Returning Officer shall, if he is
satisfied that the signature on the notice is that of the candidate, cause a copy of the notice to be
affixed at some conspicuous place in his office.

1 Sub­section (5) which was Previously amended by Ord. 17 of 1985, s.2 has been subs. by Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986),s.2.
2 Added by Ord.50 of 02,s.2.
3 Ins. by Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1992 (24 of 1992),s.2.




                                                                               Page 10 of 34
   (4) The Returning Officer shall, on the day next following the withdrawal day, prepare and
publish in the prescribed manner a list of contesting candidates and forward a copy thereof to each
such candidate, giving public notice of the date, hour and place of the poll.

    16. Death of a candidate after nomination.__ (1) If a validly nominated candidate who has not
withdrawn his candidature dies before the completion of the proceedings relating to the election, the
Returning Officer shall, by public notice, terminate such proceedings and make a report to the
Commissioner.

    (2) Where the proceedings relating to an election have been terminated under sub­section (1),
fresh proceedings shall be commenced in accordance with the provisions of this Act as if for a new
election.

    17. Postponement, etc., under certain circumstances. Where the proceedings relating to
nomination, scrutiny or withdrawal cannot, for reasons beyond the control of the Returning officer,
take place on the day appointed therefor, he may postpone or adjourn such proceedings and shall,
with the approval of the Commissioner, by public notice fix another day for the proceedings so
postponed or adjourned and, if necessary, also the day or days for any subsequent proceedings.

    18. Uncontested election. __(1) Where after scrutiny under section 13 or withdrawal under
section 15, the number of validly nominated candidates or, as the case may be, the contesting
candidates from a Province is less than or equal to the number of seats to be filled for that Province,
the Returning Officer shall, by public notice declare such candidates to be elected to the seats and
send a return of election to the Commissioner:

    Provided that, if after scrutiny any candidate indicates that he intends to file an appeal under sub­
section (5) of section 13 against the rejection of his nomination paper, no person shall be declared
elected uncontested until the period for filing such appeal has expired and no such appeal has been
filed, or where an appeal is filed, until the disposal of such appeal.

    (2) The Commissioner shall publish in the of icial Gazette the names of the returned candidates.

    (3) Where the number of candidates declared elected under sub­section (1) is less than the
number of seats to be filled, fresh proceedings shall be commenced in accordance with the provisions
of this Act as if for a new election, to fill the seat or, as the case may be, seats remaining vacant.

    19. Contested election. If after withdrawals, if any, the number of candidates exceeds the
number of seats, the Returning Officer shall, on the appointed day, conduct the poll, after giving a
notice thereof to the contest ing candidates.

    20. Hours of poll. The Returning Officer shall, subject to any direction of the Commissioner, fix
the hours during which the poll shall be taken and give public notice of the hours so fixed.




                                            Page 11 of 34
    21. Absence of candidates, etc., not to invalidate acts, etc. Where any act or thing is required
or authorised by this Act to be done in the presence of a candidate or an agent authorised by him in
writing in this behalf, the failure of such person to attend at the time and place appointed for the
purpose shall not invalidate any act or thing otherwise validly done.

    22. Adjourned poll.­ (1) If at any time the poll is interrupted or obstructed for reasons beyond
the control of the Returning Officer, he may stop the poll and, when he so stops the poll, shall inform
the Commissioner of his having done so.

    (2) Where a poll is stopped under sub­section (1), the Returning Officer shall, immediately report
the circumstances to the Commissioner and as soon as may be appoint, with the approval of the
Commissioner, a day for a fresh poll and fix the place at which, and the hours during which, such
fresh poll shall be taken.

    (3) All voters shall be allowed to vote at the fresh poll taken under sub­ section (2) and no vote
cast at the poll stopped under sub­section (1) shall be counted.

       23. Voting procedure.__ (1) All voters shall be entitled to vote at an election.

       (2) No vote shall be given by proxy.

     (3) Each voter shall have only one transferable vote irrespective of the number of seats to be
filled.

       (4) A voter shall cast his vote in the prescribed manner.

       (5) The ballot papers shall be in such form as the Commissioner may specify.

       (6) The polls shall be by secret ballot.

    24. Proceedings at the close of poll.__ (1) Immediately after the close of poll, the Returning
Officer shall proceed with the counting of votes in the prescribed manner.

    (2) On the completion of counting, the Returning Officer shall prepare and certify a return of the
election and submit the same to the Commissioner in the prescribed manner.

       1[(3) Every returned candidate shall, within five days from the date of election, submit return of
election expenses in accordance with the provision of section 29.]

       1[25. Declaration of result of election. On the receipt of the returns of the election under sub­
section (3) of section 24, the Commissioner shall publish in the official Gazette the names of returned
candidates.

1 Added by Ord. 50 of 02, s.5.
2 Subs., Ins and added by Ord. 50 of 02, ss.6­9.




                                                   Page 12 of 34
    Provided that the name of a candidate shall not be published who fails to submit th return of
election expenses as required by sub­section (3) of section 24.]

    25A. Yearly submission of statement of assets and liabilities.__ (1) Every member shall in the
prescribed form submit a statement of assets and liabilities of his own, his spouse and dependents
annually to the Commissioner by the thirtieth day of September each year.

    (2) The statements of assests and liabilities submitted under sub­section (1) shall be published in
the Official Gazette and copies thereof can be obtained on payment of prescribed fee.

    (3) The Commision shall, by the fifteenth day of October each year, notify the names of
the members who fail to file staements of assets and liabilities within the period specified in sub­
section (1) and by an order, direct that such member shall cease to function till such statement is
submitted.

    (4) Where a member submits the statement of assets and liabilities under sub­section (1) which is
found to be false in material particulars, he may be proceeded under section 62 for committing the
offences of corrupt practice.

    26. Return or forfeiture of deposit.__ (1) After the termination of the proceedings relating to an
election under section 16 where the proceedings have been so terminated or after the declaration of
result of an election under section 18 or section 25, the deposit made under section 12 in respect of
any candidate shall be returned to the person making it or to his legal representa tive, except the
deposit in respect of a candidate for whom no voter has either voted or indicated any preference.

   (2) A deposit which is not required to be returned under sub­section (1), shall be forfeited to the
Federal Government.

                                     CHAPTER IV.­ELECTION EXPENSES


   27. Election expenses. In this Chapter, "election expenses" means any expenditure incurred or
payment made, whether by way of gift, loan, advance, deposit or otherwise, for the arrangement,
conduct or benefit of, or in connec tion with, or incidental to, the election of a candidate, including
expenditure on account of issuing circulars or publications or otherwise presenting to the voters the
candidate or his views, aims or objects, but does not include the deposit made under section 12.

    28. Restriction on election expenses.__(1) No person shall, except to the extent provided in sub­
section (2), make any payment whatsoever towards the election expenses of a candidate except to
such candidate.

   (2) No person other than a candidate shall incur any election expenses of the candidate :

    Provided that any person may, if so authorised by a contesting candidate in writing specifying a
maximum amount, to the extent of such amount, make payment for stationery, postage, telegram and
other petty expenses.




                                            Page 13 of 34
   (3) The election expenses of a contesting candidate shall not exceed 1[one million and five
hundred] rupees.
       1[(4) a Candidate by a statement, explain the particulars of any election expense supported by
receipts and voucher of payments made thereof, except where the amount is less than five hundred
rupees.]

    29. Return of election expenses.__(1) Every contesting candidate 1[other than a returned
candidates] shall, within thirty days after the publication of the name of the returned candidates under
section 18 or section 25, submit to the Returning Officer a return of election expenses in the
prescribed form containing__

              (a) a statement of all payments made by the contesting candidate together with all the bills
                  and receipts ;

              (b) a statement of all disputed claims, if any, of which the contesting candidate is aware ;

              (c) a statement of all unpaid claims, if any, of which the contesting candidate is aware ; and

              (d) a statement of all moneys, securities or equivalent of money received from any person for
                  the purpose of election expenses specifying the name of every such person.

   (2) The return submitted under sub­section (1) shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the
contesting candidate.

    30. Inspection of returns, etc.__(1) The return and documents submitted under section 29 shall
be kept by the Returning Officer in his office or at such other convenient place as he may think fit
and shall, during one year from the date of their receipt by him, be open to inspection by any person
on payment of the prescribed fee.

    (2) The Returning Officer shall, on an application made in this behalf and on payment of the
prescribed fee, give any person copies of any return or document kept under sub­section (1) or of any
part thereof.

                                                   CHAPTER V.__ ELECTION DISPUTES

    31. Election not to be questioned except by election petition or appeal.__ (1) Save as provided
in section 32, no election shall be called in question except by an election petition under section 34.

    (2) No question that can be settled in an appeal under section 32 shall be raised by an election
petition or before any Court or authority whatsoever, nor shall any question that can be raised by an
election petition be raised before any Court or authority other than an Election Tribunal.

   32. Appeal against count.__(1) A contesting candidate who is aggrieved by any proceedings
under section 24 relating to the count may prefer an appeal challenging the count to the
Commissioner.

1 Subs. Ins. and added by Ord. 50 of 02, ss.6­9.




                                                            Page 14 of 34
    (2) An appeal under sub­section (1) may be made by the candidate in person, or through a person
authorised in writing by the candidate in this behalf, within three days next following the date of the
completion of the count under section 24.

    (3) The appeal shall be addressed to the Commissioner and shall be filed with the Commissioner
or with the Secretary, Election Commission.

    (4) The appeal shall be in the form of a memorandum which shall state the grounds for such
appeal and shall be accompanied by as many copies thereof as the number of contesting candidates at
an election.

   (5) The Commissioner may, after giving the parties concerned an opportunity of being heard,__

       (a) dismiss the appeal ; or

       (b) if he does not dismiss the appeal, determine the result of the election on the count of valid
           votes as corrected, after adjudicating upon the invalid votes, if any, and make such
           consequential order as may be necessary.

   (6) The decision of the Commissioner on appeal under sub­section (5) shall be final.

    33. Commissioner to have certain powers of a Court. For the purpose of the disposal of an
appeal under section 32, the Commissioner shall have the same powers as are vested in a Court under
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908), when trying a suit in respect of the following
matters, that is to say,__

       (a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath ;

       (b) compelling the discovery and production of documents, articles or things ;

       (c) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses ;

       (d) requiring the deposit of diet and traveling expenses of witnesses ;

       (e) receiving evidence on affidavits ;

       (f) granting adjournments ; and

       (g) summoning and examiningsuo motu any person whose evidence appears to be material.

    34. Election petition. An election petition shall be presented to the Commissioner within forty­
five days of the publication of the result of the election in the official Gazette and shall be
accompanied by a receipt showing that the petitioner has deposited a sum of two thousand rupees at
any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan or at a Government

   Treasury or sub­Treasury in favour of the Commissioner as security for the costs of the petition.

   35. Parties to the petition. The petitioner shall join as respondents to his election petition__

       (a) all contesting candidates; and



                                            Page 15 of 34
    39. Power to transfer petition.__ (1) The Commissioner, either of his own motion or on an
application made in this behalf by any of the parties, may, at any stage, transfer an election petition
from one Tribunal to another Tribunal, and the Tribunal to which the election petition is so transferred
shall proceed with the trial of the petition from the stage at which it is transferred:

        (b) any other candidate against whom any allegation, if any, of any corrupt or illegal practice
            is made, and shall serve personally or by registered post on each such respondent a copy
            of his Petition.

    Explanation.__ In this section and in the following provisions of this Chapter, "corrupt or illegal
practice" means a "corrupt practice" or an "illegal practice" within the meaning of Chapter VI.

    36. Contents of petition.­ (1) Every election petition shall contain__

        (a) a precise statement of the material facts on which the petitioner relies;

        (b) full particulars of any corrupt or illegal practice or other illegal act alleged to have been
            committed, including as full a statement as possible of the names of the parties alleged to
            have committed such corrupt or illegal practice or illegal act and the date and place of the
            commission of such practice or act; and.

        (c) the relief claimed by the petitioner.

    (2) A petitioner may claim as relief any of the following declarations, namely__

        (a) that the election of the returned candidate is void; or

        (b) that the election of the returned candidate is void and that the petitioner or some other
            person has been duly elected; or

        (c) that the election as a whole is void.

     (3) Every election petition and every schedule or annex to that petition shall be signed by the
petitioner and verified in the manner laid down in the Code of civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908).
for the verification of pleadings.

    37. Procedure on receipt of petition by the Commissioner.__ (1) The Commissioner shall
return an election petition to the petitioner if he finds that it has not been presented within the time
specified in section 34 or is not accompanied by a receipt of the deposit required to be made under
that section.

     (2) If an election petition is not returned under sub­section (1) the Commissioner shall refer it for
trial to a Tribunal.

   38. Appointment of Tribunal.__ (1) For the trial of election petitions under this Act the
Commissioner shall appoint as many Election Tribunals as may be necessary.

    (2) A Tribunal shall consist of a person who is a Judge of a High Court.




                                              Page 16 of 34
    Provided that the Tribunal to which an election petition is so transferred may, if it thinks fit, recall
and examine any of the witnesses already examined.

    40. Place of trial. The trial of an election petition shall be held at such place or places as the
Tribunal may think fit.

    41. Advocate­General to assist the Tribunal. The Advocate­General for a Province shall, if a
Tribunal so requires, assist the Tribunal at the hearing of an election petition in such manner as it may
require.

    42. Appearance before Tribunal. Any appearance, application or act before a Tribunal may be
made or done by a party in person or by an advocate or any other person entitled or allowed to plead
in any civil Court and duly appointed to act on his behalf:

    Provided that the Tribunal may, where it considers it necessary, direct any party to appear in
person.

    43. Procedure before Tribunal.­ 1[(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, every
election petition shall be tried, as nearly as may be tried, in accordance with the procedure laid down
by the 2[Commissioner].]

       *              *                          *                     *              *    *    *

    (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the 3[Qanun­e­Shahdat Order, 1984 (P.O.No.X of 1984)
(I of 1872) shall apply for the trial of an election petition.

    (3) The Tribunal may, at any time, upon such terms and on payment of such fee as it may direct,
allow, a petition to be amended in such manner as may, in its opinion, be necessary for ensuring a fair
and effective trial and for determining the real questions at issue, so however that no new ground of
challenge to the election is permitted to be raised.

   (4) At any time during the trial of an election petition, the Tribunal may call upon the petitioner to
deposit such further sum by way of security, in addition to the sum deposited under section 34, as it
may think fit.

              44. Dismissal of petition during trial.__The Tribunal shall dismiss an election petition, if__

               (a) the provisions of section 35 or section 36 have not been complied with; or

               (b) the petitioner fails to make the further deposit required under sub­section (4) of section
                   43.

     45. Powers of the Tribunal.__ (1) The Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil Court trying a
suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908), and shall be deemed to be a civil Court
within the meaning of sections 4[476] 480 and 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V
of 1898).

1 Subs. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1985 (10 of 1985),s.2.
2 Subs. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986), s.3.
3 Subs. by Ord. 52 of 02,s.10.
4 Ins.by Act 10 of 1985, s.3.




                                                                           Page 17 of 34
    (2) For the purpose of enforcing attendance of witnesses, the local limit of the jurisdiction of the
Tribunal shall be the territories to which this Act extends.

    46. Further provision relating to evidence and witnesses.__(1) Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force, no document shall be inadmissible in
evidence at the trial of an election petition only on the ground that it is not duly stamped or
registered.

    (2) No witness shall be excused from answering any question as, to any matter in issue, or
relevant to a matter in issue, in the trial of all election petition upon the ground that the answer to
such question way incriminate or tend to incriminate him or that it may expose or tend to expose him
to any penalty or forfeiture, but no witness shall be required or permitted to state for whom he has
voted at an election.

    (3) A witness who answers truly all questions which he is required to answer shall be entitled to
receive a certificate of indemnity from the Tribunal and an answer given by him to a question put by
or before the Tribunal shall not, except in the case of any criminal proceeding for perjury in respect
of his evidence, be admissible in evidence against him in any civil or criminal proceedings.

    (4) A certificate of indemnity granted to any witness under sub­section (3) may be pleaded by
him in any Court and shall be a full and complete defence to or upon any charge under Chapter IX­A
of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) or under this Act arising cut of the matter to which
such certificate relates but it shall not be deemed to relieve him from any disqualification in
connection with an election imposed by any law for the time being in force.

    (5) The reasonable expenses incurred by any person in attending to give evidence may be allowed
to him by the Tribunal and shall, unless the Tribunal otherwise directs, be deemed to be part of the
costs.

    47. Recrimination where seat is claimed.__ (1) Where in an election petition a declaration is
claimed that a candidate other than, the returned candidate has been duly elected, the returned
candidate or any other party may produce evidence to prove that the election of such other candidate
would have been declared void had he been the returned candidate and had a petition been presented
calling his election in question:

     Provided that the returned candidate or such other party as aforesaid shall not be entitled to give
such evidence unless he or it has within the fourteen days next following the commencement of the
trial, given notice to the Tribunal of his or its intention so to do anti has also deposited the security
referred to in section 34.

     (2) Every notice referred to in sub­section (1) shall be accompanied by a statement of the case,
and all the provisions relating to the contents, Verification, trial and procedure of an election petition,
or to the security deposit in respect of an election petition, shall apply to such a statement as if it were
all election petition.

    48. Decision of the Tribunal.__ (1) The Tribunal may, upon the conclusion of the trial of an
election petition, make an order__

        (a) dismissing the petition;



                                              Page 18 of 34
               (b) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void;

               (c) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void and the petitioner or any offer
                   contesting candidate to have been duly elected; or

               (d) declaring the election as a whole to be void.

       1[(1A) The trial of the election petition shall proceed day to day and the decision thereof shall be
taken by the Tribunal within four months form the date of its receipt from the Commissioner.

    Provided that where the delay in the proceeding is occasioned by any act or omission of a
returned candidate or any other person acting on his behalf the Tribunal may refer to the Commission
that such candidate may be declared to have ceased to perform the functions of his office either till
the conclusion of the proceedings or for such period as the Commission may direct.]

    (2) Save as provided in sub­section (3), the decision of a Tribunal on an election petition shall be
final.

    (3) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Tribunal, may, within thirty days of the
announcement of the decision, appeal to the Supreme Court on any question, whether of law or fact,
arising from the decision.

    49. Ground for declaring election of returned candidate void.__ (1) The Tribunal shall declare
the election of the returned candidate to be void if it is satisfied that __

               (a) the nomination of the returned candidate was invalid; or

               (b) the returned candidate was not, on the nomination day, qualified for, or was disqualified
                   from, being elected as a member; or

               (c) the election of the returned candidate has been procured or induced by any corrupt or
                   illegal practice; or

               (d) a corrupt or illegal practice has been committed by the returned candidate or by any other
                   person with the consent or connivance of the candidate.

       (2) The election of a returned candidate shall not be declared void on the ground __

               (a) that any corrupt or illegal practice has been committed if the Tribunal is satisfied that it
                   was not committed by, or with the consent or connivance of,

1 Ins. by Ord. 50 of 02, s.11.




                                                   Page 19 of 34
    that candidate and that the candidate took all reasonable precaution to prevent its commission; or

        (b) that any of the other contesting candidates was, on the nomination day, not qualified for,
            or was disqualified from, being elected as a member.

    50. Ground for declaring a person other than a returned candidate elected. The Tribunal
shall declare the election of the returned candidate to be void and the petitioner or any other
contesting candidate to have been duly elected, if it is so claimed by the petitioner or any of the
respondents and the Tribunal is satisfied that the petitioner or such other contesting candidate was
entitled to be declared elected.

    51. Ground for declaring election as a whole void. The Tribunal shall declare the election as a
whole to be void if it is satisfied that the result of the election has been materially affected by reason
of__

        (a) the failure of any person to comply with the provisions of this Act or the rules; or

        (b) the prevalence of extensive corrupt or illegal practice at the election.

    52. Other provisions relating to tribunal.__ (1) An order of a Tribunal under section 48 shall
take effect on the date on which it is made and shall be communicated to the Commissioner who shall
publish it in the official Gazette.

    (2) The Tribunal shall, after an election petition has been disposed of, forward the record thereof
to the Commissioner who shall retain it for a period of five years from the date of its receipt and shall
thereafter cause it to be destroyed.

    53. Withdrawal of petition.__ (1) An election petition may be withdrawn__

        (a) before a Tribunal has been appointed, by leave of the Commissioner; and

        (b) after a Tribunal has been appointed, by leave of the Tribunal.

    (2) Where leave is granted by the Tribunal, the petitioner shall be ordered to pay the costs
incurred by the respondents to the election petition or such portion thereof as the Tribunal may direct.

    54. Abatement on death of petitioner.__ (1) An election petition shall abate on the death of the
petitioner or the sole survivor of several petitioners.

    (2) Where a petition abates under sub­section (1) after a Tribunal has been appointed, notice of
the abatement shall be given by, the Tribunal to the Commissioner.

    55. Death or withdrawal of respondent. If, before the conclusion of the trial of an election
petition, a respondent dies or gives notice in the prescribed form that he does not intend to contest the
petition, and no respondent remains to contest the petition, the Tribunal shall, without any further
hearing, or after giving such person as it may think fit an opportunity of being heard, decide the case
ex parte.




                                             Page 20 of 34
    56. Failure of petitioner to appear. Where, at any stage of the trial of an election petition, no
petitioner makes an appearance, the tribunal may dismiss the petition for default, and make such
order as it may think fit.

       1[56A. Additional powers of the Tribunal.__(1) If a Tribunal is, on the basis of any material
coming to its knowledge from any source or an information laid before it, of the opinion that a
returned candidate was a defaulter of loan, taxes, Government dues or utility charges, or has
submitted a false or incorrect declaration regarding the payment of loan, taxes, Government dues or
utility charges, or has submitted a false or incorrect statement of assets and liabilities of his own,
spouse and dependents, under section 11, it may, its own motion or otherwise, call upon any such
candidate to show cause why his election should not be declared void and, if it is satisfied that such
candidate is defaulter or has submitted false or incorrect declaration as aforesaid, it may without
prejudice to any order that may be, or has been, made on an election petition, or any other
punishment, penalty or liability which such candidate may have incurred under this Act or under any
other law for the time being in force, make an order__

               (i) declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void; or

               (ii) declaring the election or the returned candidate to be void and any other contesting
                    candidate to have been duly elected.

    (2) If on examining the material or information referred to in sub­section (1), a Tribunal finds that
there appear reasonable grounds for believing that a returned candidate is a defaulter or has submitted
false or incorrect declaration referred to in sub­section (1), it may, pending decision of the motion
under sub­section (1), direct that the result of the returned candidate shall not be published in the
official Gazette.

   (3) No order under sub­section (1) or sub­section (2) shall made unless the returned candidate has
been provided an opportunity or being heard.]

    57. Order as to costs.__ (1) The Tribunal shall, when making an order under section 48, also
make an order determining in its discretion the costs and specifying the persons by and to whom such
costs are to be paid.

    (2) If, in any order as to costs under sub­section (1), there is a direction for the payment of costs
by any party to any person, such costs shall, if they have not already been paid, be payable in full,
and shall upon application in writing in that behalf made to the Commissioner within six months of
the order by the person to whom costs have been awarded, be paid as far as possible, out of the
security for costs deposited by such party.

    (3) where no costs have been awarded against a party who has deposited security for costs, or
where no application for payment of costs has been made within the aforesaid six months, or where a
residue remains after costs have been paid out of the security, such security or the residue thereof, as
the case may be, shall, upon application in writing therefore by the person who made the deposit or
by his legal representative, be returned by the Commissioner to the person making the application.

1 Ins. by Ord.50 of 02,s.12.




                                                    Page 21 of 34
    (4) Any order for costs may be enforced upon application in writing made to the principle civil
court of original jurisdiction of the district in which the person from whom the costs are to be
recovered resides or owns property, as if such order were a decree passed by the court:

   Provided that no proceeding shall be brought under this sub­section except in respect of costs
which have not been recovered by an application under sub­section (2).

                                                          ______

                                         CHAPTER VI­OFFENCES, PENAL
                                                                  TY AND PROCEDURE


       58. Corrupt practice. A person is guilty of corrupt practice if he __

               (a) contravenes the provisions of section 28;

               1[(aa) files a false or incorrect declaration or statement under sub­section (2) of section 11.]


               (b) is guilty of bribery, personation or undue influence;

               (c) makes or publishes a false statement__

                        (i) concerning the personal character of a candidate or any of his relations calculated to
                             adversely affect the election of such candidate or for 'the purpose of promoting or
                             procuring the election of another candidate, unless he proves that he had reasonable
                             grounds for believing, and did believe, the statement to be true; or

                        (ii) regarding the withdrawal of candidate;

               (d) calls upon or persuades any person to vote, or to refrain from voting for any candidate on
                   the ground that he belongs to ,to a particular religion, community, race, caste, sect or
                   tribe;

               (e) knowingly, in order to support or oppose a candidate, lets, lends, employs, hires, borrows
                   or uses any vehicle or vessel for the purpose of conveying to or from the polling station
                   any voter except himself and members of his immediate family ; or

               (f) causes or attempts to cause any person present and waiting to vote at the polling station to
                    depart without voting.

1 Ins. by Ord. 50 of 02,s.13.




                                                       Page 22 of 34
    59. Bribery. A person is guilty of bribery if he directly or indirectly by himself or by any other
person on his behalf,___

    (1) receives or agrees to receive or contracts for any gratification for voting or refraining from
voting, or for being or refraining from being a candidate at, or for with drawing from, an election;

    (2) gives, offers or promises any gratification to any person__

        (a) for the purpose of inducing__

             (i) a person to be, or to refrain from being, a candidate at an election ;.

             (ii) a voter to vote, or refrain from voting, at an election; or

             (iii) a candidate to withdraw from an election ; or

        (b) for the purpose of rewarding__

             (i) a person for having been, or for having refrained from being, a candidate at an
                 election;

             (ii) a voter for having voted or refrained from voting at an election; or

             (iii) a candidate for having withdrawn from an election.

   Explanation.­ In this section "gratification" includes a gratification in money or estimable in
money and all forms of entertainment or employment.

    60. Personation. A person is guilty of personation if he votes or applies for a ballot paper for
voting, as some other person whether that other person is living or dead or fictitious.

    61. Undue influence. A person is guilty of undue influence if he,__

    (1) in order to induce or compel any person in to the or refrain from voting, or to offer himself as
a candidate, or to withdraw his candidature, at an election, directly or indirectly, by himself or is by
another person on his behalf,__

        (a) makes or threatens to make use of any force, violence or restraint;

        (b) inflicts or threatens to inflict any injury, damage, harm or loss;

        (c) calls down or threatens to call down divine displeasure or the displeasure of any saint or
            pir;

        (d) gives or threatens to give any religious sentence; or

        (e) uses or threatens to use any official influence or governmental patronage ; or




                                              Page 23 of 34
    (2) on account of any person having voted or refrained from voting, or having offered himself as
a candidate, or having withdrawn his candidature, does any of the acts specified in clause (1). ; or

       (3) by abduction, duress or any fraudulent device or contrivance, __

               (a) impedes or prevents the free exercise of the franchise by a voter; or

               (b) compels, induces or prevails upon any voter to vote or refrain from voting.

   Explanation.__ In this section, "harm" includes social ostracism or ex­communication or
expulsion from any caste or community.

    62. Penalty for corrupt practice. Any person guilty of corrupt practice shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 1[five] years, or with fine which may extend to 1[one
million] thousand rupees, or with both.

       63. Illegal practice.­ (1) A person is guilty of illegal practice if he__

               (a) fails to comply with the provisions of section 29 ;

               (b) obtain or procures, or attempts to obtain or procure, the assistance of any person in the
                   service of Pakistan to further or hinder the election of a candidate ;

               (c) votes or applies for a ballot paper for voting at an election knowing that he is not qualified
                   for, is disqualified from, voting ;

               (d) votes or applies for a ballot paper for voting for more than once in the same polling
                   station;

                (e) removes a ballot paper from a polling station during the poll ; or

               (f) knowingly induces or procures any person to do any of the aforesaid acts.

   (2) A person guilty of illegal practice shall be punishable with 2[imprisonment for a term which
may extend to six months and fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.]

    64. Prohibition of public meetings, etc., during certain period.__ (1) No person shall convene,
hold or attend any public meeting, and no person shall promote or join in any procession within a
Province, during a period of forty­eight hours ending at midnight following the conclusion of the poll
for any election in that Province.

    (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub­section (1) shall be punishable with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with find which may extend to
one thousand rupees, or with both.

1 Subs. by Ord. 50 of 2002, s.14.
2 Subs. by Ord. 50 of 02, s.15.




                                                    Page 24 of 34
    65. Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station. A person is guilty of an offence
punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees if he, within a radius of four hundred
yards of the polling station, on the polling day,__

       (a) canvasses for votes ;

       (b) persuades any voter not to vote at the election or for a particular candidate ; or

       (c) exhibits, except with the permission of the Returning Officer and at a place reserved for
           the candidate beyond the radius of one hundred yards of the polling station, any notice,
           sign, banner or flag designed to encourage the voters to vote, or discourage the voters
           from voting, for any contesting candidate.

    66. Disorderly conduct near polling station. A person is guilty of an offence punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one
thousand rupees, or with both, if he, on the polling day,__

       (a) uses, in such manner as to be audible within the polling station, any gramophone,
           megaphone, loudspeaker or other apparatus for reproducing or amplifying sounds;

       (b) persistently shouts in such manner as to be audible within the polling station ;

       (c) does any act which __

            (i) disturbs or causes annoyance to any voter visiting a polling station for the purpose of
                 voting, or

            (ii) interferes with the performance of the duty of a Returning Officer or a Polling
                 Officer or any other person performing any duty at a polling station ; or

       (d) abets the doing of any of the aforesaid acts.

    67. Tampering with papers.__ (1) Except as provided in sub­section (2), a person is guilty of an
offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which
may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, if he __

       (a) intentionally defaces or destroys any nomination paper, ballot paper or official mark on a
           ballot paper;

       (b) intentionally takes out of the polling station any ballot paper or puts into any ballot box
           any ballot paper other than the ballot paper he is authorised by law to put in;

       (c) without due authority__

            (i) supplies any ballot paper to any person;




                                            Page 25 of 34
            (ii) destroys, takes, opens or otherwise interferes with any ballot box or packet of ballot
                 papers in use for the purpose of election; or

            (iii) breaks any seal affixed in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules;

       (d) forges any ballot paper or official mark; or

       (e) causes any delay or interruption in the beginning, conduct or completion of the procedure
           required to be immediately carried out on the close of the poll.

    (2) A Returning Officer, Polling Officer or any other Officer or clerk on duty in connection with
the election who is guilty of an offence under sub­section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or
with both.

    68. Interference with the secrecy of voting. A person is guilty of an offence punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one
thousand rupees, or with both, if he—

       (a) interferes or attempts to interfere with a voter when he records his vote;

       (b) in any manner obtains or attempts to obtain in a polling station information as to the
           candidate or candidates for whom a voter is about to vote or mark his preferences or has
           voted and marked his preferences; or

       (c) communicates at any time any information obtained in a polling station as to the candidate
           or candidates for whom a voter is about to vote or mark his preferences or has voted and
           marked his preferences.

    69. Failure to maintain secrecy. A Returning Officer or Polling Officer, or any candidate or
agent of a candidate attending a polling station or any person attending at the counting of votes, is
guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or
with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, if he__

   (1) fails to maintain or aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting ;

    (2) communicates to any person before the poll is closed, except for any purpose authorised by
any law, any information as to the official mark; or

   (3) communicates any information obtained at the counting of votes as to the candidates for
whom any vote is given or a preference is recorded on any particular ballot paper.

    70. Officials not to influence voters. A Returning Officer, Polling Officer or any other officer or
clerk on duty in connection with an election, or any member of a police force, is guilty of an offence
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may
extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, if he, in the conduct or management of an election or
maintenance of order at a polling station,__

       (a) persuades any person to give his vote;

       (b) dissuades any person from giving his vote;


                                            Page 26 of 34
             (c) influences in any manner the voting of any person; or

             (d) does any other act calculated to influence the result of the election.

    71. Breaches of official duty in connection with election. A Returning Officer, Polling Officer
or any other person employed by any such officer in connection with his official duties imposed by or
under this Act or the rules is guilty of an offence punishable with fine which may extend to one
thousand rupees if he, wilfully and without reasonable cause, commits breach of any such official
duty, by act or omission.

    72. Assistance by Government servant. A person in the service of Pakistan is guilty of an
offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which
may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both, if he misuses his official position in a manner
calculated to influence the result of the election.

      73. Certain powers of a police officer. A police officer may__

             (a) arrest without warrant, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal
                 Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), any person __

                     (i) who commits personation or an offence under section 66 if the Returning Officer
                         directs him to so arrest such person;

                     (ii) who, being removed from the polling station by the Returning Officer, commits any
                          offence at the polling station;

             (b) remove any notice, sign, banner flag used in contravention of section 65; and

             (c) seize any instrument or apparatus used in contravention of section 66;

   and take such steps, including use of force, as may be reasonably necessary for preventing such
contravention.

    74. Certain offences cognizable.___ 1[(1)]Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), an offence under section 58 or section 65 or sub­section
(1) of section 67 shall be a cognizable offence.

      1[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force,
the offences of corrupt practice shall be tried by the Sessions Judge a appeal against his order shall lie
before a Division Bench of the High Court.

    (3) Where a proceeding against a person for being involved in corrupt practice is initiated on a
complaint made by a private individual, and such person is convicted by the court and his conviction
is maintained in final appeal, the complainant may be entitled to such reward payable out of the
amount of fine as may be imposed by the court:

    Provide that where such complaint proves to be false, mala fide, or is made for any ulterior
motive to provide benefit to another person, the complainant shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.]

1 Renumbered and amended by Ord. 50 of 02,s.16.



                                                  Page 27 of 34
    75. Prosecution for offences by public officers.­ (1) No court shall take cognizance of an
offence under sub­section (2) of section 67, section 69, section 70, section 71 or section 72, except
upon a complaint in writing made by order of, or under authority from, the Commissioner.

    (2) The Commissioner shall, if he has reasons to believe that any offence specified in sub­section
(1) has been committed, cause such inquiries to be made or prosecution to be instituted as he may
think fit.

    1[75A. Court proceeding relating to election expenses.__The Commissioner shall direct the
Returning Office to initiate proceeding in the appropriate court against the person who contravenes
the provisions of section 28 or fails to comply with the provisions of section 29.]

   76. Limitation for prosecution for corrupt or illegal practices. No prosecution for an offence
under section 58 or section 65 shall be commenced except __

               (a) within six months of the commission of the offence; or

               (b) if the election at which the offence was committed in subject to an election petition and
                   the Tribunal has made an order in respect of such offence, within three months of the date
                   of such order.

                                                                                    ______

                                                                      CHAPTER VII­BYE­ELECTION


    77. Casual vacancies.__ 2[(1)] When, before the expiration of the term of office of a member
elected to the Senate, his seat becomes vacant or is declared vacant or his election to the Senate is
declared void, the Commissioner shall, by notification in the official Gazette, call upon the elected
members of the Provincial Assembly by the members of which the member was elected to elect a
person for the purpose of filling the vacancy so caused before such date as may be specified in the
notification; and the provisions of this Act and of the rules shall apply, as far as may be, in relation to
the election of a member to fill such vacancy.
       2[(2) When the seats of two or more members who were elected to the Senate by the same
Provincial Assembly and whose term of office was due to expire on the same day become vacant
simultaneously, elections to fill such seats may be held together.]

                                                                                  ________

1 Ins by Ord. 50 of 02, s.17.
2 Re­numbered and added by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1977 (17 of 1977), s.2.




                                                                             Page 28 of 34
                                     CHAPTER VIII­DISQUALIFICATIONS

  78. Disqualification. A person shall be disqualified from being elected as and from being, a
member of the Senate, if__

              1[(a) he is of unsound mind and has been so declared by a competent court, or


                (b) he is an undischarged insolvent; or

                (c) he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of a foreign State; or

                (d) he holds an office of profit in the service of Pakistan other than an office declared by law
                   not to disqualify its holder; or

                (e) he is in the service of any statutory body or anybody which is owned or controlled by the
                    Government or in which the Government has a controlling share or interests; or

                (f) he being a citizen of Pakistan by virtue of section 14B of the Pakistan Citizenship Act,
                    1951 (II of 1951), he is for the time being disqualified under any law in force in Azad
                    Jammu and Kashmir from being elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Azad
                    Jammu and Kashmir; or

                (g) he is propagating any opinion, or acting in any manner, prejudicial to the Ideology of
                   Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the
                   maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the Judiciary or Pakistan,
                   or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan; or

                (h) he has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction on a charge of corrupt
                   practice, moral turpitude or misuse of power or authority under any law for the time being
                   in force; or

                (i) he has been dismissed from the service of Pakistan or service of a corporation or office
                    set up or controlled by the Federal Government, Provincial Government or a local
                    government on the grounds of misconduct involving moral turpitude; or

                (j) he has been removed or compulsorily retired from the service of Pakistan or service of a
                    corporation or office set up or controlled by the Federal Government, Provincial
                    Government or a local Government on the grounds of misconduct involving moral
                    turpitude: or

              (k) he has been in the service of Pakistan or of any statutory body or any body which is
                  owned or controlled by the Government or in which the Government has a controlling
                  share of interest, unless a period of two years has elapsed since he ceased to be in such
                  service; or

1 Subs. by Ord. 50 of 2002, s.18.




                                                     Page 29 of 34
       (l) he, whether by himself, or by any person or body of persons in trust for him or for his
            benefit or on his account or as a member of a Hindu undivided family, has any share or
            interest in a contract, not being a contract between a cooperative society and
            Government, for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any contract or for the
            performance of any service undertaken by, Government:

   Provided that the disqualification under this paragraph shall not apply to a person­­

             (i) where the share or interest in the contract devolves on him by inheritance or
                succession or as a legatee, executor or administrator, until the expiration of six
                months after it has so devolved on him;

             (ii) where the contract has been entered into by or on behalf of a public company as
                 defined in the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), of which he is a
                 shareholder but is not a director holding an office of profit under the company; or

             (iii) where he is a member of a Hindu undivided family and the contract has been
                 entered into by any other member of that family in the course of carrying on a
                 separate business in which he has no share or interests; or

    Explanation.__In this Article "goods" does not include agricultural produce or commodity grown
or produced by him or such goods as he is ,under any directive of Government or any law for the time
being in force, under a duty or obligation to supply.

        (m) he holds any office of profit in the service of Pakistan other than the following offices
          namely:__

             (i) an office which is not whole time office remunerated either by salary or by fee;

             (ii) the office of Lumbardar, whether called by this or any other title;

            (iii) the Qaumi Razakars;

        (iv) any office the holder whereof, by virtue of such office, is liable to be called up for
           military training or military service under any law providing for the constitution or raising
           of a Force: or

        (n) he has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for having absconded by a
           competent court under any law for the time being in force; or

        (o) he has obtained a loan for an amount of two million rupees or more, from any bank,
           financial institution, cooperative society or cooperative body in his own name or in the
           name of his spouse or any of his dependents, which stands unpaid for more than one year
           from the due date or has had such loan written off; or




                                            Page 30 of 34
              (p) he or his spouse or any of his dependents has defaulted in payment of government dues
                  and utility charges, including telephone electricity, gas and water charges of an amount in
                  excess of ten thousand rupees, for over six months; or

              (q) he is for the time being disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the
                  Majlis­e­Shoora (Parliament) or of a Provincial Assembly under the Constitution or any
                  law for the time being in force.]

    Explanation.­ For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that a Judge of the Supreme Court
or a High Court, the Auditor­General and an Advocate­General are persons holding office of profit in
the service of Pakistan.

    79. Disqualification on account of certain offences.__ 1[(1)] Where a person has been convicted
for having exceeded the limit of election expenses laid down by section 28 or having failed to file the
return of election expenses in accor dance with section 29 or for any other offence under this Act, not
being an offence for which he has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two
years, or has been found guilty of any corrupt or illegal practice by a Tribunal, he shall, if the
Commissioner makes an order to that effect, be disqualified, for such period not exceeding five years
as may be specified in the order, from being, or being elected as, a member of the Senate.

      1[(2) Where a person has been convicted for an offence punishable under section 171J of the
Pakistan Penal Code Act 1860 (XLV of 1860) he shall be disqualified for a period of seven years
from being elected as, a member of the Senate.]

    80. Removal and remission of disqualification. The Commissioner may, on an application made
in this behalf, remit any disqualification for failure to submit the return of election expenses or for
any error or incorrect statement in such return, if he is satisfied that such failure or error occurred or
incorrect statement was made due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant.

                                                                                   ______

                                                      CHAPTER IX.__ MISCELLANEOUS

    81. Extension of time for completion of election. It shall be competent for the Commissioner,
for reasons which he considers sufficient, to extend the time for the completion of any election by
making necessary amendments in the notification issued under section 10.

    82. Term of Office.__(1) The term of office of a member of the Senate shall commence on the
date of the first meeting of the Senate held after the names of the persons elected to the Senate are
notified by the Election Commission :

    Provided that the term of office of a member elected in the year 1973 and having a term of four
years shall expire after completion of four years from the date of making the oath under Article 65.

1 Re­numbered and added by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (56 of 1984),s.2.




                                                                             Page 31 of 34
    (2) If the election of a member is declared void and another candidate is declared to have been
duly elected in his place, the term of such candidate shall be the unexpired term of such member.

    (3) If the election of all the members declared elected under section 18 is section 25 is declared
void, the term of the members elected in their places shall be the unexpired term of the members
whose election is declared void.

       1[82A Drawing of lots for determining term of office of individual members.__ (1) For the

purpose of dividing the members 2[into two groups], the Commissioner shall draw lots in the
prescribed manner and in the presence of such members or persons authorised by them in writing as
may be present, after notifying in the official Gazette the time and place of drawing of lots.

   (2) The term of office of each member determined under sub­section (1) shall be notified by the
Commissioner in the official Gazette.

    (3) If the election of a member whose term of office is determined under sub­section (1) is
declared void and another candidate is declared to have been duly elected in his place, the term of
such candidate shall be the unexpired term of such member.

    (4) If the election of all the members 3** * is declared void, the members elected in their place
shall be divided into two groups and the term of their office determined and notified in the manner
specified in sub­sections (1) and (2):

  Provided that the term of office of the members so elected shall be the unexpired term of the
members of the respective groups].

    83. Vacancy in membership of Provincial Assemblies not to invalidate election. No election
by the members of a Provincial Assembly shall be called in question on the ground merely of the
existence of any vacancy in the membership of that Provincial Assembly.

    84. Commissioner to ensure fair election, etc. Save as otherwise provided, the Commissioner
may issue such instructions and exercise such powers including the power to review an order passed
by any officer under this Act or the rules, and make such consequential orders, as may, in his opinion,
be necessary for ensuring that an election is conducted honestly, justly and fairly and in accordance
with the provisions of this Act and the rules.

    85. Directions of Commissioner in certain matters. Anything required to be done to carry out
the purposes of this Act for which no provision or no sufficient provision exists shall be done by such
authority and in such manner as the Commissioner may direct.

1 Ins. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1977 (17 of 1977),s.3.
2 Subs. by the Senate (Election) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986) s.4.
3 Omitted by the Senate (Elelction) (Amdt.) Act, 1986 (5 of 1986) s.4.




                                                                            Page 32 of 34
    86. Jurisdiction of courts barred. No court shall question the legality of any action taken in
good faith by, or under the authority of, the Commissioner, a Returning Officer or a Polling Officer or
any decision given by any of them or by any other officer or authority appointed under this Act or the
rules.

     87. Protection or action taken in good faith. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall
lie against the Commissioner or any officer or other person in respect of anything which is in good
faith done or intended to be done under or in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made, or
direction given, thereunder.

   88. Power to make rules.__ (1) The Federal Government may, in consultation with the
Commissioner, make rules1 for carrying out the purpose of this Act.

   (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:–

              (a) the duties of Returning Officers and Polling Officers at polling stations;

              (b) the identification of voters;

              (c) the manner in which votes are to be given both, generally and in, the case of illiterate
                  voters or voters under physical or other disability;

              (d) the procedure as to voting to be followed at elections held in accordance with the system
                  of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote;

              (e) the scrutiny and counting of votes, including cases in which a recounting of votes should
                   be made before the declaration of the result of election;

              (f) the safe custody of ballot boxes, ballot papers and other election papers, the period for
                   which such papers shall be preserved and the inspection and production of such papers;

              (g) the appointment of agents of candidates; and

              (h) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed under this Act.




                                                                         ___________________

1 For the Senate (Election) Rules, 1975, see S.R.O. 725(I)/75, dated 28­6­75, Gaz. of.,P1975, Ext., (Islamabad) Pt. II, pp.1305­1308.




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