ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: The Election Commission will issue notices to 45 political parties that failed to submit their financial statements for the year 2004-05 on time. On Saturday, an Election Commission meeting presided over by acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar decided to give one more chance to the political parties and set them a 30-day deadline to file their statement of accounts.

If the political parties do not comply, they will be ruled ineligible for an election symbol to contest the 2007 general elections on party basis.

Earlier, on July 19, the commission had asked the political parties to file their statement of accounts by Aug 29.

Election Commission Secretary Kanwar Dilshad said the meeting also decided to return the financial statements of Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Maqsad Himayat Tehreek and Labour Party Pakistan so that they could re-submit their accounts after getting them audited by chartered accountants.

The meeting also decided to return the financial statements of six political parties, which were not on the record of the Election Commission. These parties are: Pakistan People’s Party (the statement of which was submitted by its secretary general Jehangir Badar), Pakistan Social Democratic Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Fatima Jinnah), Pakistan Qaumi League, Pakistan Muslim League (Meem) and Ghareeb Awam Party.

Meanwhile, the financial statements of another 45 political parties will soon be published in the official gazette.

Under Article 13 of the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002, every political party is required to submit its financial statement within 60 days at the close of each financial year.

Such a consolidated statement of accounts duly audited by a chartered accountant comprise an annual income and expenses, source of party’s funds and its assets and liabilities.

In addition, the accounts also carry certification from the leader of the concerned party that no funds from any source prohibited under PPO 2002 were received by it and that the statement contain an accurate financial position of the party.

Saturday’s meeting of the commission also appreciated the cooperation extended by the chief justices of the four high courts and their subordinate judicial officers in the successful completion of two phases of the local government elections 2005.

It also reviewed the arrangements for holding elections to district nazims, tehsil/town nazims and members to reserved seats in zila councils and tehsil or town councils.

The commission also deliberated upon the disposal of election petitions by the election tribunals and emphasized the need for expeditious disposal of election petitions filed in connection with local government polls.

It also decided to hold a meeting with the chief justices of the high courts for exploring possibilities and devising mechanism for speedy disposal of election petitions by the election tribunals.