The National Assembly of Pakistan on October 5 unanimously adopted amendments to the recently passed Elections Act, 2017, restoring the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat declaration for candidates, as well as the two clauses on the status of Ahmadis, in their original form. It restores the word “Oath” instead of “Declaration” in the nomination paper about the finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwat).
The amendment in the recently passed bill [‘The election act 2017’] created a stir in the country, consequently the NA speaker with the consultation of parliamentary party’s heads jointly decided to restore it.
Lawmakers had pointed out that the wording of form-A, which is submitted by candidates along with their nomination papers, had been changed and the solemn declaration that they believed in the finality of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was omitted. In the new form, the words “I solemnly swear” had been replaced with “I believe”.
The house also restored Clauses 7-B and 7-C of the Conduct of Elections Order, 2002, which had been removed with the repeal of the entire order. These clauses pertain to the status of Ahmadis.
Clause 7B reads: “Notwithstanding anything contained in the Electoral Rolls Act, 1974 (XXI of 1974), the Electoral Rolls, Rules, 1974, or any other law for the time being in force, including the Forms prescribed for preparation of electoral rolls on joint electorate basis in pursuance of Article 7 of the Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002 (Chief Executive’s Order No. 7 of 2002), the status of Quadiani Group or the Lahori Group (who call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name) or a person who does not believe in the absolute and unqualified finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last of the prophets or claimed or claims to be a prophet, in any sense of the word or of any description whatsoever, after Muhammad (peace be upon him) or recognises such a claimant as a prophet or religious reformer shall remain the same as provided in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.”
Clause 7C reads: “If a person has got himself enrolled as voter and objection is filed before the Revising Authority notified under the Electoral Rolls Act, 1974, within ten days from issuance of the Conduct of General Elections (Second Amendment) Order, 2002, that such a voter is not a Muslim, the Revising Authority shall issue a notice to him to appear before it within fifteen days and require him to sign a declaration regarding his belief about the absolute and unqualified finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Form-IV prescribed under the Electoral Rolls Rules, 1974. In case he refuses to sign the declaration as aforesaid, he shall be deemed to be a non-Muslim and his name shall be deleted from the joint electoral rolls and added to a supplementary list of voters in the same electoral area as non-Muslim. In case the voter does not turn up in spite of service of notice, an ex parte order may be passed against him.”