Political parties are required by ECP to file their annual financial accounts by August 29.

ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has instructed all registered political parties to submit their annual financial accounts for fiscal year 2025-26 by August 29, in compliance with the Elections Act of 2017.

According to the ECP, political parties must produce Form-D annual accounts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, which include a detailed record of their revenue, spending, assets, and liabilities.

According to the commission, each party must provide an audit report prepared by a chartered accountant, and the party’s leader must also submit a certificate stating that the party has not received any prohibited funding from any foreign government, multinational or domestically incorporated public or private company, firm, trade or professional association, or any other prohibited source under Pakistani election laws.

The ECP clarified that overwriting, erasing, or modifying Form-D will not be tolerated. Political parties have also been ordered to provide bank statements from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, along with their financial returns.

The commission stated that the papers must be delivered in person to the Secretary of the Election Commission’s office, and that statements provided via post, courier, fax, or any other technological means will not be accepted.

Section 210 of the Elections Act of 2017 requires every enrolled political party to produce an audited annual financial statement with the ECP within 60 days of the end of the fiscal year. The statement must identify the party’s sources of revenue, assets, liabilities, and expenditures, as well as a declaration by the party’s head confirming that no unlawful monies were received.

Failure to comply with legal standards might jeopardize a political party’s position with the ECP, as meeting financial reporting responsibilities is one of the legislative prerequisites for retaining registration and electoral status.

The ECP has frequently said that public financial disclosures are intended to improve accountability and ensure that political parties comply with Pakistan’s electoral rules and regulations.