ISLAMABAD (Special Correspondent) – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued its third official press release for 2026, mandating that all members of Parliament and provincial assemblies submit their annual statements of assets and liabilities for the 2025-26 financial year by December 31, 2026. This directive follows a period of significant political developments, including the recent Federal Cabinet approval of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which underscores the importance of institutional compliance during this administrative cycle.

Mandatory Compliance Under The Elections Act, 2017

Under Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017, legislators are legally obligated to disclose the assets and liabilities of themselves, their spouses, and their dependent children as of the preceding June 30. The Election Commission emphasizes that this disclosure is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability within the legislative body, particularly as the state navigates complex governance challenges like the Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s details regarding failed efforts to avert the KP crisis. Failure to adhere to these statutory requirements will lead to strict regulatory measures, including the suspension of parliamentary membership for non-compliant individuals.

Enforcement and Submission Guidelines

The ECP outlined a clear enforcement timeline: on January 1, 2027, the Commission will publicly release the names of any members who have failed to submit their statements by the end-of-year deadline. Furthermore, if a member remains non-compliant by January 15, the Commission is empowered to issue an order suspending their membership, effectively barring them from performing their duties until the filing is completed. Additionally, the ECP warned that any statements found to contain material falsehoods would be subject to prosecution for corrupt practices within 120 days of submission. Legislative integrity is a priority for the state, alongside the broader bureaucratic stability sought after the major bureaucratic reshuffle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Access to Required Documentation

The prescribed ‘Form-B’ and relevant filing instructions are available free of charge at the Election Commission Secretariat in Islamabad, as well as at the offices of the Provincial Election Commissioners, the Senate Secretariat, the National Assembly Secretariat, and the secretariats of all provincial assemblies. To facilitate ease of access, the documents are also available for download via the official ECP website at www.ecp.gov.pk.