Electoral Rolls Act, 1974

[Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary, Part-III, 16th February, 2004]

No. F. 1(16)/2004-Cord., dated 15-2-2004.—In continuation of Notification No. F. 1(2)/2003 Cord., Dated the 31st January, 2004 and pursuant to the decision taken by the Federal Government on 11th February, 2004 that the oath/Declaration as to the belief about the absolute and unqualified finality of the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) for Muslim voters and separate Forms both for Muslim and non-Muslim voters as were in vogue since 1978, may be prescribed for annual revision of electoral rolls and separate lists be prepared fro Muslim voters and Ahmadi/quadiani voters as a result thereof, the chief Election commissioner, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Article 219(a) of the Constitution, Section 4 and Section 28(2) of the Electoral Rolls Act, 1974 and all other powers enabling him in that behalf, is pleased to decide that:

(i) The status of persons belonging to the quadiani Group or the Lahori Group (who call themselves ‘Ahmadis’ or by any other name) shall remain unchanged as provided in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

(ii) Form-IV for Muslim voters containing oath/Declaration as the belief about the absolute and unqualified finality of the Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as well as Form-X for non-Muslim voters prescribed under Rule 9 of the Electoral Rolls Rules, 1974 shall stand restored with immediate effect.

(iii) Forms-iv already filed by Muslim voters pursuant to the programmer announced on the 30th December, 2003 for revision of electoral rolls, 2004 shall be treated to be validly filed if these are accompanied by the aforesaid oath/Declaration and shall be processed by the Revising Authorities accordingly.

(iv) Muslim voters, who have filed forms-iV without the aforesaid Oath/Declaration pursuant to the programme for annual Revision of Electoral Rolls, 2004 announced on the 30th December, 2003 shall submit the aforesaid oath/Declaration, as to the absolute and unqualified finality of the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him).

(v) Separate lists for Muslim voters and non-Muslim voters shall be prepared as a result of annual Revision of Electoral Rolls, 2004.

(vi) Time for filing Claims, Objections and Applications for corrections is extended up to 14th April, 2004.

(vii) The Revising Authorities may dispose of Claims, objections and Applications simultaneously but not later than 30th April, 2004.

By order of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.