The government on Tuesday issued the Representation of the People Order (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing comprehensive reforms to country’s electoral system.
The ordinance, signed by President Md Shahabuddin, took immediate effect.
The amendment focuses on regulating postal ballots, streamlining vote counting and strengthening the enforcement and adjudication powers of election officials, while enhancing judicial authority and accountability for certain polling officers.
Under the new Article 27, postal ballots will be deemed invalid if unmarked, marked for multiple symbols, ambiguously marked, received late or missing the voter’s declaration.
Article 37A outlines the counting procedure, designating the Returning Officer’s office as the official polling station. The Returning Officer must appoint a Presiding Officer and, if necessary, Polling Officers to conduct the count in the presence of contesting candidates or their agents.
Results must be authenticated and submitted to the Returning Officer, who will include them in the constituency’s consolidated results under Article 37.
The amendment also introduces major changes to the enforcement and adjudication of electoral offenses.
Article 91AA establishes the Electoral Enquiry and Adjudication Committee (EEAC), empowered to conduct summary trials for offenses under Articles 73, 75, 77, and clause (3) of Article 91B.
The EEAC is granted the powers of a first-class Magistrate under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and may refer other offenses to the competent court.
Police and security officials, including Superintendents of Police, Police Commissioners and Officers-in-Charge, are required to provide necessary assistance for election duties and EEAC functions.
Administrative support is also mandatory, with Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers responsible for aiding election officials and the EEAC. Failure to comply “without reasonable cause” may be treated as misconduct.
SH
