EC officers to gain path to secretary posts under revised law

The interim government has approved a draft amendment to create an “Election Commission Service”, opening a long-awaited path for Election Commission (EC) Secretariat officers to be promoted to secretary-level posts.

The approval came on Thursday during a meeting of the Advisory Council, which cleared the draft Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The ordinance will be issued once signed by the president.

The 2009 law currently requires the EC Secretariat to consist of a secretary and other staff appointed under government rules. Until now, senior posts including deputy secretary, joint secretary, additional secretary and secretary were filled through deputation from the civil service, leaving no scope for EC’s own officers to rise to the top.

To strengthen EC’s independence and bring its officials under direct control, the Election System Reform Commission had earlier recommended a separate service for the Secretariat. The present EC also endorsed the proposal, urging the government to amend the law.

Under the amended draft, a new service titled “Election Commission Service” will be established to recruit and promote Secretariat officials. The amendment also adds responsibility for “preparing and maintaining the national identity card database to the Secretariat’s mandate.

Abdul Alim, a member of the Electoral Reform Commission, welcomed the approval, calling it a “milestone”.

“This decision by the interim government will stand as a milestone. We had recommended forming the Election Commission Service, the commission agreed, and now the government has approved the ordinance. With this service, the EC will have full authority over the Secretariat’s activities,” he said.

Alim noted that EC Secretariat officials currently come on deputation from the administration, which in the past allowed government influence over the commission.

“Now officers can be promoted internally to secretary, additional secretary and joint secretary. This will give the EC full control over its own officials during elections. It will also ensure accountability and reduce dependence on outside authorities if transparency or neutrality is questioned,” he said.