ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: The Election Commission has written to two houses of parliament, provincial assemblies and relevant ministries seeking details of lawmakers holding dual nationality.

An official told Dawn on Wednesday that letters had been sent to secretaries of the National Assembly, Senate, ministries of interior, overseas Pakistanis, foreign affairs and provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan seeking names of lawmakers holding the dual nationality within two weeks.

He said that under section 63 (1) (c) of the Constitution, holders of dual nationality were not eligible to contest election or continue as lawmakers and said the commission would initiate a process to disqualify legislators violating the law.

He said previously declarations were sought from contesting candidates that they were not violating provisions of the Article 63 of the Constitution, but now a specific declaration was being sought from them that they did not hold dual nationality.

He said wrong information provided by candidates to the Election Commission fell within the definition of corrupt practices and entailed punishment besides disqualification.

When asked what would happen if the relevant information was not provided to the Election Commission by relevant quarters within time, the official said under section 103-A of the People’s Representation Act, the election commission held powers of a high court to punish a person for contempt of court.

The commission has also asked the people to provide any information they might have about dual nationality of any Senator, MNA or MPA.