Reserved seat winners cannot vote until oath-taking: ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has written a letter to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that the Speaker of the KP Assembly has not convened a session for the oath-taking of newly notified members.

The ECP has informed the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that members elected on reserved seats for women and non-Muslims cannot cast their votes or participate in assembly proceedings until they are sworn in.

The letter highlights that the notification for successful candidates on reserved seats for women and non-Muslims was issued on July 2, 2025. However, these members have not yet taken their oaths, and as a result, they cannot participate in assembly proceedings or vote.

The ECP has clarified that, under the circumstances, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now has the discretion to summon the assembly session for the oath-taking ceremony.

The letter said that the Senate elections in the province will be held on July 21, the speaker was requested to take oath from the elected members, but the speaker refused, saying that the assembly meeting was not going on and he could not convene a meeting.

The letter states that according to Article 109 of the Constitution, the Governor has the authority to convene a meeting of the Provincial Assembly at its discretion. Article 105 states that the Governor will fulfill his constitutional responsibilities in consultation with the Chief Minister or the Cabinet.

The letter further stated that the Peshawar High Court has given its opinion in a decision on March 27, 2024, that the provincial government will take all necessary steps for the assembly meeting.

On the other hand, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi told that he had not yet received an advice from the Chief Minister to convene an assembly.

He said that elected members of the specific seats have taken oath of the assembly. These members have to vote in the Senate election. The Chief Minister send the advice of the assembly meeting so that these members can take oath.