Naeem AllahRakha (1)
Legislators’ qualifications play a vital role in preserving the integrity, legitimacy, and credibility of democratic governance. In Pakistan, the Constitution outlines specific requirements for candidates in Article 62, which are based on Islamic principles. However, the election laws do not provide clear procedural or definitional guidance for applying these provisions. This study examines the constitutional and Islamic foundations of legislators’ qualifications, interprets these provisions in light of Islamic teachings, and compares them with eligibility criteria in other democratic jurisdictions. The findings show that Pakistan’s electoral framework does not include explicit mechanisms to evaluate a candidate’s good character, Islamic knowledge, or moral conduct. Key terms such as good character, Islamic duties, and major sins remain undefined. This lack of clarity creates legal uncertainty, causes inconsistent enforcement, and raises concerns about fairness, transparency, and equal political rights. The absence of precise definitions also allows arbitrary or politically motivated interpretations, which weaken the rule of law. The comparison reveals that Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Indonesia use more explicit legal or institutional mechanisms to determine candidate eligibility. The study concludes that lawmakers should clarify constitutional terms in election laws to strengthen legal certainty, ensure consistent application, and improve democratic governance.
Afridi, Farzana, Sourav Bhattacharya, Amrita Dhillon, and Eilon Solan, ‘Electoral Competition, Electoral Uncertainty and Corruption: Theory and Evidence from India’, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 227 (2024), 106640 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2024.06.018
Ahmad, Fawad, Michael Bradbury, and Ahsan Habib, ‘Political Connections, Political Uncertainty and Audit Fees: Evidence from Pakistan’, Managerial Auditing Journal, 37.2 (2022), 255–82 https://doi.org/10.1108/MAJ-06-2020-2715
Ahmad Iman Sukri, Retno Kusumastuti, and Achmad Lutfi, ‘A Deconstruction of Rural Governance Policy to Drive Local Economies’, Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues (JSDERI), 3.2 (2025), 372–99 https://doi.org/10.53955/jsderi.v3i2.111
Ahmad, Muhammad Farooq, Thomas Lambert, José M. Martín-Flores, and Arthur Romec, ‘Does Democracy Shape International Merger Activity?’, Journal of International Economics, 152 (2024), 103995 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinteco.2024.103995
Ahrens, Leo, and Frank Bandau, ‘The Electoral Consequences of Taxation in OECD Countries’, Electoral Studies, 88 (2024), 102774 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2024.102774
Akram, Aiman Gul, and Liaqat Iqbal, ‘A Semantic Analysis of the Political Slogans of Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League-Noon’, Global Political Review, V.III (2020), 100–114 https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2020(V-III).10
Al-Fatih, Sholahuddin, and Sayed Khalid Shahzad, ‘Rethinking How Laws Are Made: Indonesia’s Legal Method Dilemma’, Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues (JSDERI), 3.2 (2025), 170–90 https://doi.org/10.53955/jsderi.v3i2.32
Alemán, Eduardo, Pablo Valdivieso Kastner, and Sebastián Vallejo Vera, ‘Speech Targeting and Constituency Representation in Open-List Electoral Systems’, Electoral Studies, 92 (2024), 102865 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2024.102865
Andrews, Sarah, and Lauren Honig, ‘Elite Defection and Grassroots Democracy under Competitive Authoritarianism: Evidence from Burkina Faso’, Democratization, 26.4 (2019), 626–44 https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2019.1566322
Anwar, Ayesha, Rasidah Mohd-Rashid, Norliza Che Yahya, and Chui Zi Ong, ‘Do Sponsors and Democratic Government Influence the Flipping Activity of Pakistan IPO? Evidence from Developing Market’, Management Research Review, 45.7 (2022), 882–96 https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2021-0137
Ascencio, Sergio J., and Rabia Malik, ‘Do Voters (Dis)like Dynastic Politicians? Experimental Evidence from Pakistan’, Electoral Studies, 89 (2024), 102786 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2024.102786
Asenbaum (lead author), Hans, and Frederic Hanusch, ‘(De)Futuring Democracy: Labs, Playgrounds, and Ateliers as Democratic Innovations’, Futures, 134 (2021), 102836 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102836
Balyaminu, Jeleel Abiola, ‘The State of Cobalt Mining Laws: Implications for the Future of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia Cobalt Mining Prospects’, Resources Policy, 108 (2025), 105688 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105688
Begum, Imrana, ‘General Election in Pakistan: A Critical Study’, FWU Journal of Social Sciences, 2022, 132–43 https://doi.org/10.51709/19951272/Fall2022/10
BERNHARD, MICHAEL, AMANDA B. EDGELL, and STAFFAN I. LINDBERG, ‘Institutionalising Electoral Uncertainty and Authoritarian Regime Survival’, European Journal of Political Research, 59.2 (2020), 465–87 https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12355
Betz, Timm, and Amy Pond, ‘Democratic Institutions and Regulatory Privileges for Government Debt’, European Journal of Political Economy, 79 (2023), 102438 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2023.102438
Biggs, Rivka, Sil Jin, and Soohyoung Rain Lee, ‘Democratic Governance and Palliative Care: Examining the Interplay of Political Systems, Economic Status, and End-of-Life Care Quality’, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12 (2025), 101800 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101800
Bochsler, Daniel, Miriam Hänni, and Bernard Grofman, ‘How Proportional Are Electoral Systems? A Universal Measure of Electoral Rules’, Electoral Studies, 87 (2024), 102713 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102713
Bogren, Malin, and Kerstin Erlandsson, ‘Safeguarding Sexual and Reproductive Health Care in an Era of Democratic Decline and Academic Suppression’, Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2025, 101117 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101117
Cavusoglu, Tarkan, Barbara Pistoresi, and Erica Poma, ‘Economic Distress, Democratic Quality, and Satisfaction with Democracy in Europe during COVID-19: A Multilevel Approach’, Economic Modelling, 150 (2025), 107137 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2025.107137
Chatterjee, Elizabeth, ‘The Politics of Electricity Reform: Evidence from West Bengal, India’, World Development, 104 (2018), 128–39 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.11.003
Chen, Chaoyi, Mehmet Pinar, and Thanasis Stengos, ‘Determinants of Renewable Energy Consumption: Importance of Democratic Institutions’, Renewable Energy, 179 (2021), 75–83 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.030
Chrétien, Stéphane, and Hsuan Fu, ‘Presidential Cycles in International Equity Flows and Returns’, Finance Research Letters, 53 (2023), 103616 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2022.103616
Cunha, Raphael, Paul Schuler, and Scott Williamson, ‘Signal Received? Authoritarian Elections and the Salience of Autocrats’, Electoral Studies, 76 (2022), 102441 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2022.102441
Erlich, Aaron, Karen E. Ferree, Clark C. Gibson, Danielle F. Jung, James D. Long, and Craig McIntosh, ‘Using Communications Technology to Promote Democratic Participation: Experimental Evidence from South Africa’, Economic Development and Cultural Change, 72.3 (2024), 1425–63 https://doi.org/10.1086/724010
Faraz, Naseem, and Marc Rockmore, ‘Election Cycles in Public Credit: Credit Provision and Default Rates in Pakistan’, Journal of Development Economics, 147 (2020), 102528 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2020.102528
Fiarni, Cut, Herastia Maharani, and Ivan Nathaniel Kirsten, ‘Electoral Recommender System for Indonesian Regional People’s Representative Councils (DPRD) Using Knowledge-Based and Collaborative Filtering Approach.’, Procedia Computer Science, 234 (2024), 28–39 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.02.149
Garnett, Holly Ann, and Toby S. James, ‘Electoral Backsliding? Democratic Divergence and Trajectories in the Quality of Elections Worldwide’, Electoral Studies, 86 (2023), 102696 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102696
Gugushvili, Alexi, Jan Grue, Therese Dokken, and Jon Erik Finnvold, ‘No Evidence That Social-Democratic Welfare States Equalize Valued Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities’, Social Science & Medicine, 339 (2023), 116361 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116361
de Haan, Jakob, Franziska Ohnsorge, and Shu Yu, ‘Election-Induced Fiscal Policy Cycles in Democratic and Non-Democratic Emerging Market and Developing Economies’, Electoral Studies, 95 (2025), 102936 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2025.102936
Haines, Monamie Bhadra, Sharlissa Moore, and Turner Adornetto, ‘Suspending Democratic (Dis)Belief: Nonliberal Energy Polities of Solar Power in Morocco and Tanzania’, Energy Research & Social Science, 96 (2023), 102942 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.102942
Heggedal, Tom-Reiel, Leif Helland, and Rebecca Morton, ‘Can Paying Politicians Well Reduce Corruption? The Effects of Wages and Uncertainty on Electoral Competition’, Games and Economic Behavior, 135 (2022), 60–73 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2022.05.008
Heller, Abigail L., ‘Public Support for Electoral Reform: The Role of Electoral System Experience’, Electoral Studies, 72 (2021), 102348 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2021.102348
Jamshed, Samia, and Bushra Tabassum, ‘Absence of Effective Governance in Pakistani Society: Lessons to be Learnt by Model of Governance by Hazrat Umar R.A’, The Scholar Islamic Academic Research Journal, 9.2 (2023) https://doi.org/10.29370/siarj/issue17ar1
Javid, Hassan, and Mariam Mufti, ‘Electoral Manipulation or Astute Electoral Strategy? Explaining the Results of Pakistan’s 2018 Election’, Asian Affairs: An American Review, 49.2 (2022), 65–87 https://doi.org/10.1080/00927678.2020.1855033
Jochemsen, Nenya, Heleen Mees, and Sanne Akerboom, ‘Renewable Energy Communities: Democratically Legitimate Agents in Governing the Energy Transition?’, Energy Research & Social Science, 117 (2024), 103732 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103732
Kayomo Kaswa, Michel, Marcel Yotebieng, and Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, ‘The Democratic Republic of Congo and Global Health Security: The Indispensable Role of the United States of America’, CMI Communications, 2.3 (2025), 105083 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmicom.2025.105083
van Kersbergen, Kees, and Barbara Vis, ‘Digitalization as a Policy Response to Social Acceleration: Comparing Democratic Problem Solving in Denmark and the Netherlands’, Government Information Quarterly, 39.3 (2022), 101707 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101707
Khan, Muhammad Arshad, Abdul Rahman, and Bashir Ahmed Tareen, ‘Is Pakistan in a Debt Trap? Do Domestic and Foreign Debts Crowd-out Private Investment?’, Journal of Policy Modeling, 2025 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2025.06.005
Klem, Bart, ‘Demos at War: Revisiting the Democratic Boundary Problem with a Performative Lens’, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8.1 (2023), 100507 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100507
Klomp, Jeroen, ‘Defending Election Victory by Attacking Company Revenues: The Impact of Elections on the International Defense Industry’, European Journal of Political Economy, 79 (2023), 102431 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2023.102431
Kramer, Bert S., and Petros Milionis, ‘Democratic Constraints and Adherence to the Classical Gold Standard’, Explorations in Economic History, 84 (2022), 101436 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eeh.2021.101436
Lähdesmäki, Tuuli, ‘Attributes of Democratic Culture as Represented in Young Children’s Drawings’, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 6.1 (2022), 100272 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100272
Lee, Taejun (David), Seulki Lee-Geiller, and Byung-Kwan Lee, ‘A Validation of the Modified Democratic E-Governance Website Evaluation Model’, Government Information Quarterly, 38.4 (2021), 101616 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2021.101616
Leino, Mikko, and Katariina Kulha, ‘Hopes over Fears: Can Democratic Deliberation Increase Positive Emotions Concerning the Future?’, Futures, 154 (2023), 103246 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2023.103246
Lu, Yao, and Zhirui Luo, ‘Age Structure and Democratic Development: The Nonlinear and Conditional Role of Youth Bulges’, World Development, 195 (2025), 107132 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107132
Meesuwan, Sanyarat, and Eunhong Park, ‘The Association between Delegative Democratic Attitudes and Perceptions of China in Thailand from the Asian Barometer Survey’, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12 (2025), 101680 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101680
Meira, Deolinda, and Maria Elisabete Ramos, ‘Democratic Governance and Modernity in 21st Century Co-Operatives in Portugal: Frontiers and Balances’, Journal of Co-Operative Organization and Management, 11.2 (2023), 100215 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcom.2023.100215
Mirza, Rinchan Ali, Adeel Malik, and Jean‐Philippe Platteau, ‘Entrenched Political Dynasties and Development Under Competitive Clientelism: Evidence from Pakistan’, 2025 https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5292910
Mubarak Zeb, Zakir Khan, Khurshid Alam, and Imran Khan, ‘An Analysis of Major Legal and Political Developments in Pakistan from 2013 -2018’, Social Science Review Archives, 2.2 (2024), 1593–1608 https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v2i2.215
Mufti, Mariam, Sahar Shafqat, and Niloufer Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Political Parties, ed. by Mariam Mufti, Sahar Shafqat, and Niloufer Siddiqui (Georgetown University Press, 2020) https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv10crdkk
Mufungizi, Innocent, ‘Rethinking Mining from Extraction to Inclusion: Leveraging the Luozi Manganese Deposit for Equitable and Sustainable Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo’, The Extractive Industries and Society, 24 (2025), 101739 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2025.101739
Muhammad Ashraf Qureshi, ‘A Critical and Reformative Study of Legal Framework of Electionism in PakistanA Critical and Reformative Study of Legal Framework of Electionism in Pakistan’, Annual Methodological Archive Research Review, 3.5 (2025), 168–94 https://doi.org/10.63075/r27q9262
Nasir, Muhammad Touqeer Akhter, and Khan Faqir, ‘A Critical Analysis of Coalition Politics in Pakistan A Case Study of PPP-Led Coalition 2008-2013’, Global Political Review, VI.IV (2021), 1–13 https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2021(VI-IV).01
Nuryanto, Ahmad Dwi, and Abdul Kadir Jaelani, ‘The Role of State Official Wealth Report in Realizing the Principles of Maqashid Sharia’, Legality : Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum, 32.1 (2024), 155–81 https://doi.org/10.22219/ljih.v32i1.32879
Nuryanto, Ahmad Dwi, Reza Octavia Kusumaningtyas, and Bukhadyrov Habibullo, ‘The Imperative of Social Justice on the Insolvency and Workers’ Wage’, Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues (JSDERI), 2.3 (2024), 209–32 https://doi.org/10.53955/jsderi.v2i3.48
Opoku-Mensah, Evans, Martinson Twumasi Ankrah, Priscilla Tuffour, Isaac Appiah-Otoo, and Assila Abdallah, ‘Assessing the Impact of Democratic Governance, Long and Short-Term External Debt on Hydropower Generation in BRICS Nations Using an Extended STIRPAT Model’, Energy, 318 (2025), 134794 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.134794
Özkan, Oğuzhan, and Alper Uzun, ‘“The Democratic Touch of Disasters”: The Perception of Non-Governmental Organizations in Public Institutions in the Context of Disaster Governance’, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 125 (2025), 105586 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105586
Paldam, Martin, ‘The OPEC/MENA/Arab Nexus and the Missing Democratic Transition’, European Journal of Political Economy, 2025, 102731 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2025.102731
Partzsch, Lena, Lukas Maximilian Müller, and Anne-Kathrin Sacherer, ‘Can Supply Chain Laws Prevent Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Indonesia?’, Forest Policy and Economics, 148 (2023), 102903 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102903
Pentz, Brian, Palash Sanyal, Zachary Simek, and Phil Loring, ‘Does Democratic Regression Threaten Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Action? Exploring the Relationships, Implications, and Opportunities for Democratization as a Conservation Strategy’, Environmental Science & Policy, 171 (2025), 104151 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104151
Perbawa, Ketut Sukewati Lanang Putra, Paul Atagamen Aidonojie, and Benjamin Okorie Ajah, ‘Disability and Electoral Justice for Inclusive Participation’, Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues, 3.2 (2025), 221–46 https://doi.org/10.53955/jsderi.v3i2.93
Putri, Devita Kartika, ‘Interpreting “Most Serious Crimes” under Article 6(2) of ICCPR’, Mimbar Hukum - Fakultas Hukum Universitas Gadjah Mada, 31.3 (2020), 419 https://doi.org/10.22146/jmh.48979
Qureshi, Abeeda, and Sara Ahmad, ‘Reserved Seats for Women in Pakistan: Reinforcement of Patriarchy and Powerlessness (2002–2018)’, Women’s Studies International Forum, 94 (2022), 102629 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2022.102629
Río, Adrián del, ‘Strategic Uncertainty and Elite Defections in Electoral Autocracies: A Cross-National Analysis’, Comparative Political Studies, 55.13 (2022), 2250–82 https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140221074273
Rittmann, Oliver, Marie-Lou Sohnius, and Thomas Gschwend, ‘Candidate Awareness in Mixed-Member Electoral Systems: A Data-Driven Approach’, Electoral Studies, 86 (2023), 102700 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102700
Rozehnal, Robert, ‘Faqir or Faker?: The Pakpattan Tragedy and the Politics of Sufism in Pakistan’, Religion, 36.1 (2006), 29–47 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.religion.2006.02.013
Sanderson Bellamy, Angelina, Marcus Gomes, Daiane Mülling Neutzling, and Vikas Kumar, ‘The Role of the State for Managing Voluntary Food Sustainability Standards Democratically’, Journal of Rural Studies, 103 (2023), 103126 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103126
Sawada, Yasuyuki, Takeshi Aida, Andrew S. Griffen, Eiji Kozuka, Haruko Noguchi, and Yasuyuki Todo, ‘Democratic Institutions and Social Capital: Experimental Evidence on School-Based Management from a Developing Country’, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 198 (2022), 267–79 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2022.03.021
Schnaudt, Christian, ‘Mind the Gap(s): Winning, Losing, and Perceptions of Electoral Integrity in Mixed-Member Proportional Systems’, Electoral Studies, 83 (2023), 102611 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102611
Seitova, Dilyara, and Monika Kovacs, ‘Cosmopolitanism, Trust, and Democratic Support Shaping Immigrant Attitudes: A Multilevel Analysis across 36 European Countries’, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 106 (2025), 102178 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2025.102178
Shan, Ali, Muhammad Waris, and Abdul Basit, ‘Islamization in Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of Zias Regime’, Global Regional Review, I.I (2016), 260–70 https://doi.org/10.31703/grr.2016(I-I).20
Shire, Karen A., ‘Social-Democratic Imaginaries of Transformations in Conservative Gender Regimes’, Women’s Studies International Forum, 99 (2023), 102766 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2023.102766
Sibbett, Lisa, ‘Critical Democratic Education in Practice: Evidence from An Experienced Teacher’s Classroom’, The Journal of Social Studies Research, 46.1 (2022), 35–52 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssr.2021.11.004
Siddiqui, Niloufer, Drew Stommes, and Zoha Waseem, ‘Illicit Gains and State Capture: Political Party Extortion in India and Pakistan’, World Development, 183 (2024), 106735 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106735
Spence, Tyler B., and Steven M. Leib, ‘Negotiating International Aviation: Analyzing the Contribution of Politics to the United States’ Open Skies Agreements through Democratic Peace Theory’, Journal of Air Transport Management, 115 (2024), 102512 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2023.102512
Tamim, Dr. Tayyaba, and Dr. Faisal Bari, ‘Tracing the Footprints of Returning International Students in Pakistani Context: A Capability Approach Analysis’, International Journal of Educational Research, 131 (2025), 102593 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102593
Vicente, Pedro C., and Inês Vilela, ‘Preventing Islamic Radicalization: Experimental Evidence on Anti-Social Behavior’, Journal of Comparative Economics, 50.2 (2022), 474–85 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2021.11.001
Waghmare, Madhurima, ‘Democratic Participation and Smart City Citizenship in Emerging Economies – Case of Smart Cities in India’, Cities, 148 (2024), 104910 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.104910
Wilson, Matthew, and David Andersen, ‘Economic Growth, Largest-Party Vote Shares, and Electoral Authoritarianism’, Electoral Studies, 92 (2024), 102879 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2024.102879
Zak-Doron, Idan, and Lotem Perry-Hazan, ‘Abandoning Children to Their Participation? A Rights-Based Analysis of the Strong Participation Ethos in Democratic (Open) Schools’ Disciplinary Procedures’, International Journal of Educational Research, 118 (2023), 102154 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102154