Electoral reforms: Politicians for accountability of ECP

Mainstream parties endorse UNDP recommendations

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of mainstream political parties on Tuesday were unanimous on the need for electoral reforms endorsing recommendations put forward by UNDP. The politicians unanimously agreed on devising a mechanism that would ensure accountability of the ECP if it fails to hold free and fair elections.

The recommendations include expansion of the commission and appointment of retired judges of the Supreme Court as the head of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“Appointment of the members [of ECP] should be expanded beyond the judiciary to attract a broader pool of talented individuals from other sectors such as civil society, business or the civil services,” says UNDP in its fourth edition of the quarterly development magazine, ‘Development Advocate Pakistan’, launched here on Tuesday. The theme for the edition is Electoral Reforms in Pakistan: Perspectives and Opportunities.

Despite the differences, there is recognition among stakeholders, local and international that electoral reforms are required, says the document adding that in a nationwide survey conducted with 4,535 people by UNDP, 49 per cent said they were not satisfied with the existing electoral system while another 55 per cent insisted electoral reforms were necessary.

Senate Chairman Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, in his speech as chief guest said there was an overwhelming consensus in the country that significant electoral reforms were needed to improve the quality of the electoral process to avoid political instability.

Bokhari stressed that unless ECP was given substantial independence and resources to exert its authority and ensure reforms were properly implemented, any efforts would not bear fruit.

Senator Farhatullah Babar called for the formation of a mechanism to hold ECP responsible for the unfair elections.

Anusha Rehman called for population census before electoral reforms.

UNDP Country Director Marc-Andreì Franche said that in any country, the legal framework and administrative processes for elections needed to be seen as organic, requiring regular review and modification.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2014.