Politics in Mardan: Electoral reform committee established

Members seek suggestions, recommendation from journalists, lawmakers.

PESHAWAR: Society for Human and Environment Development (SHED) established an electoral reforms committee in Mardan on Monday.

According to a handout, the district head for SHED, Muhammad Arif, announced the committee will comprise 15 members at a press conference held at an office in Mardan. He said the committee will include members of civil society, journalists, lawyers and lawmakers who will submit recommendations about electoral reforms.

The committee assumed its responsibilities on Monday and discussed some electoral reforms. Former district naib nazim Ibrahim Buland and Arif were chosen convener and deputy convener respectively.

“Representatives of political parties have been asked to come up with their recommendations and revisit election reforms,” said Arif. Arif said he plans to organise awareness campaigns in each union council in Mardan under Buland’s supervision.

SHED district coordinator Shahzeb also spoke to the media, saying conventions and seminars would also be held at educational institutions and community centres. “Suggestions and recommendations will be collected from lawmakers and electoral experts,” he said. He added the recommendations will be submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan. “The primary purpose of this committee is to have free and fair elections in the district in future,” said Shahzeb.

SHED is working to empower communities through need-based and target-oriented human development issues on a sustainable basis. It is registered as a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, working since 2007.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st,  2015.