ISLAMABAD: A candidate's death during an election does not spell the end of the electoral process but rather prompts a restart under Pakistan's electoral laws. This directive is outlined in Section 73 of the Elections Act, which mandates a specific protocol for suspending and restarting election proceedings in the event a candidate dies before the close of polling.
According to Free and Fair Election Network: Section 73(1) of the Elections Act 2017 requires the Returning Officer to terminate election activities in the affected constituency by public notice, if a candidate dies before or during polling. This termination is a suspension specific to that constituency, not a cancellation of the wider election process.
Section 73(2) delineates the subsequent steps, initiating fresh election proceedings. Importantly, the law specifies that other candidates do not need to submit new nomination papers or deposits, as their previous submissions remain valid. This provision is significant for voters in the affected constituency, who may otherwise expect the original polling day to proceed or assume an automatic win for remaining candidates. A new election schedule will be issued, signaling the commencement of fresh proceedings, thereby ensuring the election process continues without undue burden on candidates.