Election Act 2017 - Detailed Notes & MCQs
■ Overview of Election Act 2017
The Election Act 2017 was enacted to consolidate and unify laws relating to the conduct of
elections in Pakistan. It merged and replaced several previous election-related laws. The Act
provides a legal framework for free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in the country. It defines
the powers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the qualifications and disqualifications of
candidates, election procedures, electoral rolls, delimitation of constituencies, use of technology in
elections, and mechanisms for dispute resolution.
■ Key Features of Election Act 2017
• It consolidates 9 previous election laws into one comprehensive Act.
• Introduces provisions for use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and biometric verification.
• Allows Overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote (Section 94).
• Empowers the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with autonomy and authority to conduct
elections.
• Defines qualifications and disqualifications of members (read with Articles 62 & 63 of the
Constitution).
• Sets time limit of 180 days for deciding election petitions.
• Specifies procedure for delimitation of constituencies based on the latest census.
• Mandates political parties to allocate at least 5% of their tickets to women candidates on
general seats.
■ Important Sections
• Section 17 – Delimitation of constituencies
• Section 27 – Electoral rolls
• Section 94 – Voting by Overseas Pakistanis
• Section 103 – Electronic voting and biometric verification
• Section 167-171 – Corrupt and illegal practices
• Section 231 – Election petitions
• Section 241 – Repeal and savings (repealed old election laws)
■ Repeated MCQs from Election Act 2017
1 When was the Election Act 2017 passed by the Parliament? → August 2017
2 How many sections are there in the Election Act 2017? → 241 Sections + 15 Schedules
3 Which institution conducts elections under the Election Act 2017? → Election Commission of
Pakistan (ECP)
4 What is the term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)? → 5 Years
5 How many members are there in the Election Commission of Pakistan? → 5 (CEC + 4
members)
6 Tenure of ECP members? → 5 Years
7 Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner? → President of Pakistan on recommendation
of the Parliamentary Committee
8 What is the minimum age for a candidate of the National Assembly? → 25 Years
9 What is the minimum age for a candidate of the Senate? → 30 Years
10 What is the minimum age for a candidate of the Provincial Assembly? → 25 Years
11 Reserved seats for women in the National Assembly? → 60
12 Reserved seats for non-Muslims in the National Assembly? → 10
13 Disqualification of members of Parliament is mentioned in which article of the Constitution (read
with Election Act 2017)? → Articles 62 & 63
14 Delimitation of constituencies is done on the basis of which census? → Latest published
census
15 Election petitions are decided within how many days under the Act? → 180 days (6 months)
16 Who has the power to prepare electoral rolls? → Election Commission of Pakistan
17 Every citizen has the right to vote if he/she is of what minimum age? → 18 Years
18 Overseas Pakistanis can cast vote under which provision of the Election Act 2017? → Section
94
19 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) & Biometric verification are covered in which section? →
Section 103 & 94
20 Who can disqualify a member of Parliament under the Election Act 2017? → Election
Commission of Pakistan (ECP)
