Pakistan Studies/Affairs MCQs
Topic Notes: Pakistan Studies/Affairs
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1
The 25th Amendment (2018) impacted the National Assembly by:
Answer:
Abolishing the separate seats for FATA and merging them into the KP quota
The 25th Amendment merged FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Consequently, the 12 seats formerly reserved for FATA in the National Assembly were abolished, and the representation for these regions was adjusted within the provincial quota of KP, leading to the current 336-seat house.
2
What is the consequence if a candidate fails to file their 'Election Expense Statement' within 30 days of the result?
Answer:
The ECP can suspend their membership of the assembly
Filing the return of election expenses is a mandatory requirement. If a winning candidate fails to do so, the ECP has the authority to suspend their notification as a member, effectively preventing them from taking their seat until the legal requirement is met.
3
The 'Form-45' is signed by which individuals at the polling station?
Answer:
The Presiding Officer and the Polling Agents of the candidates
Form-45 is the result of the count at a single polling station. It is signed by the Presiding Officer and the polling agents of the candidates present, who are also entitled to receive a copy of the form. This is the primary document used to track the transparency of the count.
4
Who provides security for the polling stations and transport of ballot boxes on election day?
Answer:
Local Police and, if needed, the Armed Forces and Rangers
Under Article 220, all executive authorities in the Federation and Provinces are required to assist the ECP. This includes the deployment of police, and frequently the Army and Rangers, to maintain law and order and ensure the safe transport of sensitive election materials.
5
What is the requirement for a political party to be registered with the ECP?
Answer:
Submission of constitution, list of members, and details of intra-party elections
Under the Elections Act 2017, for a party to be enlisted, it must submit its constitution, have at least 2,000 members (with CNIC copies), pay a registration fee, and provide proof of holding regular intra-party elections for its office-bearers.
6
Which historical election in Pakistan is often cited for the 'Doctrine of Necessity' validation of its dissolution?
Answer:
1954 (Dissolution of Constituent Assembly)
While not a general election, the dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly in 1954 led to the famous Tamizuddin Khan case. The court used the 'Doctrine of Necessity' to validate the dissolution, setting a precedent that affected many future electoral and constitutional crises in Pakistan.
7
The 'Indelible Ink' used during polling is applied to which finger of the voter?
Answer:
Left Thumb
Voters are marked with indelible ink, usually on the thumb, after their identity is verified and before they are issued a ballot paper. This is a standard measure to prevent double voting and ensure the integrity of the 'one man, one vote' rule.
8
Who acts as the 'Election Commissioner' for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)?
Answer:
The Provincial Election Commissioner of Punjab
Administratively, the ECP structure includes Provincial Election Commissioners. For ICT, the oversight and administrative management of elections are typically handled through the ECP's central office or the PEC Punjab, given Islamabad's geographical location.
9
According to Article 224, when an assembly completes its term, within how many days must the general election be held?
Answer:
60 days
If an assembly completes its full five-year term, elections must be held within 60 days. However, if an assembly is dissolved prematurely (before its term ends), the timeframe is extended to 90 days.
10
What is the role of 'Election Observers' (Domestic and International) in Pakistan?
Answer:
To monitor the transparency and fairness of the process and publish reports
The ECP accredits both local (e.g., FAFEN) and international (e.g., EU, Commonwealth) observers. They monitor the environment before and on the polling day to provide an independent assessment of whether the elections met international standards of fairness.