ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has notified the Regulations for Right of Access to Information, 2026 that allow every Pakistani citizen to access the information held by the electoral body, subject to certain conditions.
In a notification, the electoral body stated that it notified the new regulations in pursuance of an order passed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in October last year, and in pursuance of Article 19A of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) had sought from the ECP the details of certain appointments in the ECP, on an application moved by a citizen.
In October 2022, the ECP challenged the PIC’s decision in the IHC and the case remained pending before the IHC’s decision finally came in October 2025.
The Clause 3(1) of the Regulations for Right of Access to Information, 2026 reads, “Every citizen of Pakistan shall have the right to access the information held by the Commission, subject to reasonable restrictions by law and these regulations.”
The Clause 3(2) of these regulations reads that ECP shall ensure transparency in access to information for facilitation of citizens in terms of Article 19A of the Constitution.
The said article provides that every citizen shall have the right to have access to information in all matters of public importance subject to regulation and reasonable restrictions imposed by law.
In accordance with Clause 4, the ECP shall designate a chief information officer at its Secretariat, and public information officers at the provincial levels to process and decide the applications received for supply of information and maintain the related record.
The same clause provides that the secretary ECP shall publish the contact details of the chief information officer and the public information officers on the ECP’s official website.
Moreover, the Clause 5 of these regulations state that any citizen may submit an application for supply of information in writing or through any of the electronic means to the designated chief information officer or the respective public information officer.
Clause 6 provides that the chief information officer or the public information officer shall process the application submitted under Clause 5 and decide the same within 14 working days from the date of its receipt.
The Clause 7 of the Regulations for Right of Access to Information, 2026 reads that the ECP shall charge a processing fee of 10 rupees per page for provision of the requisite information like inspection of document(s), hard copy of document(s), certification of document(s), and electronic data transfer of document(s).
Furthermore, under Clause 8, a person aggrieved by the decision of the chief information officer or the public information officer for non-provision of information may file an appeal within a period of 14 working days before the chief election commissioner or an officer authorised by the CEC, and such appeal shall be decided on priority basis and after affording opportunity of hearing to the applicant, if required.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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