Electoral Reforms Panel Gives PML-N, PPP, PTI Two Seats Each

The ruling PML-N, its coalition partner PPP and the opposition PTI will each get two seats on the proposed Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms (PCER), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Thursday.

In a post on X, Chaudhry said the allocation of seats in the Senate for the committee would give two seats each to the PML-N, PPP and PTI. The Awami National Party (ANP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), National Party and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will each be allocated one seat, he added. Dawn reported the announcement on Thursday.

“The final decision on the names of the committee members will be made by the leader of the house (the prime minister) and the deputy prime minister after consultations with the opposition, coalition partners and relevant parliamentary leadership,” Chaudhry said.

Two seats each for the three big parties

The formula gives the three largest parliamentary forces equal weight on the committee, with two seats each in the Senate. That balance was the point of contention in the days before the announcement, and the final shape of the panel reflects a compromise between the government’s side and the opposition.

The committee is meant to bring all parliamentary parties, including the opposition, to the negotiating table on electoral reforms. The government took ownership of the initiative earlier this week and began by approaching its allies, before turning to the opposition.

Smaller parties get one seat each

Four smaller parties will each hold a single seat: the ANP, the BAP, the National Party and the JUI-F. Together with the six seats for the three big parties, that gives the committee ten Senate seats.

The JUI-F’s inclusion is notable. The party’s own lawmaker was at the centre of a separate legal fight this week, after the Federal Constitutional Court rejected the JUI-F’s appeal against the election of its own lawmaker. The party will now have a seat at the reforms table as well.

What the electoral reforms panel must settle

The government formally approached its allies earlier this week to join the proposed committee. It contacted its key allies, the PPP and the MQM-P, seeking nominations for their representatives. The PPP submitted the names of its legislators for the committee, but the names have not yet been made public.

On Tuesday, the government formally approached the opposition to seek its representation on the committee. The opposition, however, termed the formation of the committee a “futile exercise” unless its long-standing demands were met.

Chaudhry also contacted PTI chief whip in the National Assembly, Aamir Dogar, asking him to submit the names of opposition lawmakers for the committee. Dogar expressed reservations over the proposed composition of the committee and demanded equal representation for the government and opposition.

The election machinery is active on other fronts as well. The Election Commission has announced February 7 for the Punjab local government polls, and the ECP has also been in the news over its objection to remarks by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. The reforms committee will work against that busy backdrop.

Opposition still has doubts

Last week, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai to use the “authority and power” delegated to him by jailed PTI founder Imran Khan to direct opposition members to participate in parliamentary committees.

He said the opposition leader should nominate representatives to the committee on electoral reforms and submit the names to the Speaker’s Office. Later, a PPP delegation met Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas. During the meeting, the PPP delegation invited the opposition to participate in the parliamentary committee to promote consultation and discussion among parliamentary representatives on electoral reforms.

Opposition leaders have also been meeting among themselves. Opposition leaders met Fazl at his residence this week in what was described as alliance building, a sign that the opposition is coordinating its position before it decides how far to engage with the committee.

Frequently asked questions

How many seats will each party get on the electoral reforms panel?

The PML-N, PPP and PTI will each get two seats in the Senate. The ANP, BAP, National Party and JUI-F will each get one seat.

Who decides the final names?

The leader of the house, the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister will decide after consultations with the opposition, coalition partners and relevant parliamentary leadership.

Has the opposition agreed to join?

Not yet. The opposition called the committee a “futile exercise” unless its long-standing demands are met, and the PTI’s chief whip has demanded equal representation for the government and opposition.

What is the committee for?

It is meant to bring all parliamentary parties, including the opposition, to the negotiating table on electoral reforms.