ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reminded political parties, who have not yet submitted a statement of accounts, to furbish the same by August 29.
The ECP has drawn attention of the political parties to the provisions of article 13 of the Political Parties Order, 2002, which provides that every political party shall submit to the Election Commission, within 60 days from the close of each financial year, a consolidated statement of bank accounts of the party on prescribed form duly audited by a chartered accountant.
Moreover, a certificate signed by the party leader must accompany the statement of accounts stating that no funds from any source prohibited under the Political Parties Order, 2002, have been received by the party; and the statement contains an accurate financial position of the party.
According to the commission, prescribed printed forms are available free of cost in the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad and in the offices of Provincial Election Commissioners Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
It has also been stated that in terms of Article 14 of the Political Parties Order, 2002, a party, which fails to submit its statement of accounts under Article 13 will not be eligible to obtain election symbol for contesting elections for Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and provincial assemblies.
The statements are required to be delivered to the secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan in the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad, by party leader or an office-bearer of the party duly authorised by the party leader.
Under rule 11 of the Political Parties Rules, 2002, statements received through the post, fax, courier service or any other mode will not be entertained.
