Pakistan: Two years after election, validity of dozens of lawmakers still in question

In Pakistan, dozens of lawmakers continue to sit in the National as well as provincial assemblies even when the validity of their elections is still in question, since the election tribunal was not able to provide a resolution to petitions on time, as per local media.

These election tribunals came up to provide an impartial resolution of electoral disputes in a timely manner.

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“The Elections Act clearly requires tribunals to decide petitions within 180 days. Yet, by April 2026, 128 of the 374 petitions originally filed were still pending,” according to the Business Recorder.

The long delay in resolving these disputes undermines confidence in democratic institutions. It casts a shadow over the legitimacy of constitutional and legislative processes carried out, the report highlights.

“Constitutional amendments, needless to say, derive their legitimacy from the unquestioned authority of elected representatives. If the status of many legislators remains legally disputed, doubts inevitably arise regarding the moral and political strength of decisions made by parliament,” read the report.

Notably, the concerned authorities have failed to enforce the legal provisions that have been designed to discourage unnecessary delays.

“The law permits penalties such as mandatory costs for adjournments and even suspension of assembly membership if a returned candidate is found responsible for prolonging proceedings,” the report states.

Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) said that no such suspensions have been ordered yet.