The Election Commission of Pakistan has reminded the political parties to submit their statement of accounts for the financial year, 2020-2021 on or before August 29 as per the requirement mentioned in the Elections Act, 2017, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Monday.

It may be recalled that Section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017 provides that a political party shall, in such a manner as may be prescribed, submit to the ECP, within 60 days from the close of a financial year, a consolidated statement of its accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant on Form-D containing annual income and expenses and sources of its funds, also its assets and liabilities.

The statement to be submitted to the Election Commission must accompany the report of a Chartered Accountant with regard to the audit of accounts of a political party and a certificate signed by an office-bearer authorized by the party head stating that no funds from any source prohibited under the Elections Act, 2017 were received by the political party and the statement shall also contain an accurate financial position of the political party.

The statement of accounts is to be submitted on Form-D as provided in the Elections Act, 2017. The statement shall be addressed to the Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad and shall be delivered through an office-bearer of the party, duly authorized by the party head in terms of rule 156 of the Election Rules, 2017. “Statements received through the post, fax, courier service or any other mode shall not be accepted,” ECP clarified.