In a press release issued today, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has notified Members of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies in Sindh and Balochistan that the last date for the submission of Statements of Assets and Liabilities, including those of their spouses and dependent children, for the financial year 2022-23 is 31st December 2023. This requirement is mandatory under Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017.
Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017 mandates that every Member of an Assembly and Senate must submit a copy of their statement of assets and liabilities, along with those of their spouse and dependent children, on Form-B. This submission is to be made on or before 31st December each year, reflecting the financial status as of the preceding 30th day of June.
The Commission, as per the same section, is obligated to publish the names of Members who fail to submit the required statement within the specified period through a press release on the first day of January each year. Furthermore, the membership of a Member failing to submit the statement by the 15th day of January may be suspended by an order from the Commission on the 16th day of January, and such Member will cease to function until the statement of assets and liabilities is filed.
In cases where a Member submits a false statement of assets and liabilities, the Elections Act allows proceedings against the Member for committing the offense of corrupt practice within 120 days from the date of submission of the statement.
The prescribed Form-B, accompanied by instructions and guidelines, can be obtained free of cost from the Election Commission Secretariat in Islamabad, offices of Provincial Election Commissioners in respective provinces, Senate Secretariat, National Assembly Secretariat, and the Secretariats of concerned Provincial Assemblies. Additionally, Form-B is available for download on the ECP’s official website at www.ecp.gov.pk.
