ECP asks parliamentarians, MPAs to submit annual statement of assets by Sep 30

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday asked members of Parliament and provincial assemblies to submit yearly statement of their assets and liabilities of their own, spouses and dependents by September 30.

This is a mandatory requirement under section 42A on the Representation of the People Act 1976 and Section 25A of the Senate (Elections) Act 1975 which are reproduced as follows.

"42A Yearly submission of Statements of Assets and Liabilities" (1) Every member shall, on a form prescribed under clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 12 submit a statement of assets and liabilities of his own, spouse and dependents annually to the commission by the September 30 each year.

(2) The statements of assets and liabilities submitted under sub- section (1) shall be published in the official gazette and copies thereof may be obtained on payment of prescribed fee. (3) The commission shall, by October 15 each year, notify the names of the member who fail to file statements 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 statements of assets and liabilities under sub-section (1) which is found to be false in material particulars, he may be proceeded against under section 82 of committing the offence of corrupt practice.

"25A Yearly submission of Statements of Assets and Liabilities" (1) Every member shall, in a prescribed form, submit a statement of assets and liabilities of his own, spouse and dependents annually to the commissioner by September 30 each year. (2) The statements of assets and liabilities submitted under sub- section (1) shall be published in official gazette and copies thereof can be obtained on payment of prescribed fee.

(3) The commission shall, by October 15 each year, notify the names of the member who fail to file statements 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 statements of assets and liabilities under sub-section (1) which is found to be false in material particulars, he may be proceeded against under section 62 of committing the offence of corrupt practice.

Members of the Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies of the Punjab, Sindh, khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Balochistan are, thereof, required to submit yearly statements of assets and liabilities of their own, spouses and dependents by September 30.

The prescribed forms are available free of cost from the ECP Secretariat Islamabad and offices of Provincial Election Commissioners in each province.

Forms are also being sent to the Senate Secretariat, National Assembly Secretariat and Secretariats of all the four Provincial Assemblies to facilitate the members.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011