ISLAMABAD, February 24, 2024: The Provincial Assembly of Punjab elected its Speaker and Deputy Speaker on Saturday during the second sitting of its first session.
The following are key observations of the sitting
- Malik Ahmed Khan of Pakistan Muslim League—Nawaz (PMLN) and Mr. Ahmad Khan Bhachar of Sunni Ithehad Council (SIC) were nominated for the office of the Speaker, while Mr. Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer of PMLN and Mr. Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz Qureshi of SIC were nominated for the office of the Deputy Speaker.
- Two lawmakers belonging to SIC called for postponing the elections until the Election Commission of Pakistan notified the party’s members on the reserved seats. However, the outgoing Assembly’s Speaker declined the request.
- A total of 322 members cast their votes during the election to the office of the Speaker. Mr. Malik Ahmed Khan (PMLN) secured 224 votes, thus becoming the Speaker for the Punjab Assembly, while Mr. Ahmad Khan Bhachar, secured 96 votes. As many as two votes were rejected. The outgoing Assembly’s Speaker administered the oath to the newly-elected Speaker, Mr. Malik Ahmed Khan.
- A total of 323 members cast their votes for the election to the office of the Deputy Speaker. Mr. Malik Zaheer Iqbal was elected as Deputy Speaker securing the 220 votes while Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz Qureshi secured 103 votes.
- As many as six newly-elected members also took oath during the sitting.
- The session began an hour and 30 minutes behind the scheduled time, lasting six hours and 25 minutes, with a break of 40 minutes.
- As many as 322 members present at the outset of the sitting and 151 at the end. Additionally, five members elected on seats reserved for minorities attended the sitting. The Speaker announced that elections for the Chief Minister would take place on Monday, February 26, 2024.
- The next sitting of the Punjab Assembly is scheduled to convene on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 1100 hours.
This factsheet is based on the direct observation of the House proceedings on February 24, 2024 by the Free and Fair Election Network.
For more updates, visit FAFEN Digital , www.fafen.org and www.openparlaiment.pk
