Japan grants $2m to support electoral process in Pakistan

Government of Japan extends the funds to Pakistan through UNDP.

ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan decided to grant 183 million Japanese Yen (approximately US$ 2million) to support the electoral process in Pakistan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday.

The Japanese embassy issued a statement stating that the goal of providing funds was to support activities like training the polling staff, public outreach, voter education and development of elections results management.

The project is said to support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in ensuring maximum participation of the public in the upcoming elections.

The Charg, d'Affaires of Japan to Pakistan Akira Kono and Country Director UNDP Pakistan Marc-Andr‚ Franche signed notes to this effect.

Kono described the upcoming election as a landmark in the history of democracy in Pakistan. He said that both the ECP and the UNDP should work in close coordination to ensure credible and transparent elections in Pakistan.

The Japanese official also expressed that he wanted all the stakeholders to work towards the goal and show the world that Pakistan can complete another stage towards consolidating democracy.