G-B by-election: Not so free, not so fair

High turnout, suspicious voting patterns and procedural irregularities mark GBLA-19 Ghizer-I by-election.

ISLAMABAD:

The by-election held on April 28 in Ghizer-I was marked by high voter turnout, suspicious voting patterns and procedural irregularities.

This was said by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its preliminary observation report on Ghizer-I by-election. The report is based on FAFEN’s observation of polling processes at 33 polling stations -- nine male, nine female and 15 combined. The detailed FAFEN report on this by-election will include the findings from all the observed polling stations.

FAFEN observed suspicious voting patterns at 16 polling stations. It also noted that arrangements for voters were inadequate and disparate, and the whole process was marked with certain procedural irregularities that precluded the election officers deputed at these polling stations from reliability identifying the genuine voters.

The seat being contested was vacated due to the appointment of ex-Member of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Pir Karam Ali Shah as Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Procedures in Gilgit-Baltistan elections are more relaxed than elsewhere in the country. Voters must provide photographic identification, but not computerized national identity cards, and election staff are not required to take thumb impressions and fill counterfoils, unlike the rest of the country. The data in the accompanying tables gives details of the polling figures of the area along with the findings of the FAFEN observation team.

The findings are summarised below:

Suspicious voting patterns

16 polling stations were observed to be suspicious.

If the polling is very efficient and each voter takes approximately a minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of identification, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning the stamp to the assistant presiding officer), no more than approximately 45 votes could be cast in an hour at a booth.

However, the rate of voting was higher. An average higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which the voters were being processed.

Inadequate arrangements and staff

Irrespective of the number of voters, only one polling booth was established in each station.

Only three to four member teams of election staff were responsible for managing each polling station, while the number of register voters varied from 200 to more than 1,100.

Voter turnout

As shown from the observation data the turnout was 63.237 per cent.

Unauthorised persons inside polling stations

FAFEN observers reported the presence of unauthorized persons in three of the observed polling station. Under elector rules, even the police can only enter polling stations if requested by the presiding officer. However, security officials inside 32 polling stations, paramilitary troops inside one, government officials inside two and workers of political parties were observed inside another polling station.

Campaigning and canvassing around polling stations

Workers of contesting candidates were observed campaigning within 400 yards of about 31 stations by the FAFEN team, in violation of election laws.

Armed civilians were also observed at stations, inhibiting voters and leading to the possibility votes being cast under pressure.

 

Partisan Election Officials and Breach of Right to Secret Voting

At three polling stations unauthorised persons were stamping ballots on behalf of voters.

Election officials also observed to be stamping ballots on behalf of voters.

Instances of the breach of the right to secret voting were observed at 4 polling stations, where unauthorized persons such as the political party agents and irrelevant persons were going behind the voting screen to help voters.

Interference with FAFEN observers

FAFEN observers were stopped from observing the voting and counting processes at Polling Station No. 29 (FG Boys School Pakora) by a polling officer.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission (GBEC) allows accredited observers such as FAFEN to monitor all stages of the election, including the opening of polling stations, voting and the counting process.

FAFEN recommendations

In its report FAFEN suggested a number of recommendations for the future. GBEC, along with disciplining officials, should ensure that they only perform their duty outside polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.

In order to eliminate unauthorised persons inside polling stations, polling officers should be allowed to use their magisterial powers. Government service cards should be made compulsory on election day and only one polling agent should be allowed in each polling booth.

Voters’ identification should be checked strictly, and security should be enhanced to prevent armed or unauthorised persons around the polling stations.

Also polling officials should be well trained, GBEC should refine its systems and procedures to make polling more transparent. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials are removed from around the polling stations, and political parties are not allowed to camp nearby. Most importantly Computerised National Identity Cards should be made a pre-requisite for vote registration and polling.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2011.