Consultations: Ensure transparency, participation of all citizens in electoral reforms

Civil society activists forward a set of recommendations


News Desk October 18, 2014



Participants of a conference on Friday called for transparency, accountability and participation of all citizens including women, minorities and persons with disabilities in the electoral reforms.


A set of recommendations were put forward by rights activists at a conference on Civil Society Perspective on Electoral Reforms.

The conference arranged by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), demanded introduction of provincial election authorities in the light of the 18th Amendment and emerging needs of local government elections management.

They also stressed the need for appointing ECP members through the provincial assemblies similar to the process as adopted in appointment of chief election commissioner.

Addressing the participants, Zafarullah Khan of the Centre for Civic Education stated that electoral reforms need serious legislative process and it is welcome step that the parliamentary committee is seeking recommendations from citizens and civil society.



Regarding the accountability and transparency of electoral processes, Hassan Nasir of Democracy Reporting International (DRI) insisted that the independence of ECP should be ensured by removing presidential approval for introducing new rules.

However, “independence of ECP should be coupled with requirements of accountability and responsiveness” he added.

“Without acknowledging voters and political parties as primary stakeholders of the electoral process, any reforms process would only be narrow and limited” said Muddasir Rizvi of the Free and Fair Elections Network (FAFEN).

He also demanded structural reforms in the functioning of ECP and related processes.

Participants also demanded removal of all barriers and discrimination against minorities and asked the joint parliamentary committee to conduct comprehensive review of provisions related to rights of minorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2014.

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