The principal objective of the department of elections is to conduct Presidential, Parliamentary, Provincial and Local Elections and the Holding of Referendum in a free and fair manner.

The department is responsible for the annual revision of electoral registers of the 22 electoral districts.

With the enacted 17th amendment to the constitution an Election Commission is to be established.

Until it is constituted the person holding the office of the commissioner of elections immediately prior to the commencement of the act exercises and performs the powers and functions of the commission.