Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Successful members on reserved seats deprived of oath, fear of crisis before Senate elections

Peshawar: The oath-taking of women and non-Muslim members elected on reserved seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been delayed, on which the Election Commission has expressed fear that a constitutional crisis may arise before the Senate elections.

The letter issued by the Election Commission states that the notification of the successful candidates on these seats was issued on July 2, 2025, but they have not yet been sworn in. Due to this, they can neither attend the assembly session nor vote.

The letter clarified that the Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are scheduled for July 21; however, due to judicial matters and legal complications, the swearing-in of certain members could not be completed.

The Election Commission had requested the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to take the oath in this situation, but the Speaker informed them that the assembly session is not in session at the moment, and he is not authorized to call a session on his own.

According to the commission, under Article 109 of the Constitution, the governor has the power to summon an assembly session, and according to Article 105, this power is exercised in consultation with the chief minister or the cabinet. The Peshawar High Court has also said in its March 27, 2024, decision that the government should take immediate steps in this matter.

The Election Commission is of the view that if this impasse continues, the representation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Senate elections may become controversial, which may also have an impact at the federal level.