FAFEN launches drive for release of key ECP poll data
ECP has withheld key poll data despite repeated requests by Fafen and political parties
The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) launched on Thursday an online public campaign demanding the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to release essential documents related to the results of the General Elections 2013 without further delay, citing the forms as fundamental to any objective assessment of the elections and electoral transparency.
The development comes in the wake of protests in Islamabad being staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding alleged rigging in the elections.
The ECP forms contain the records of polling station vote counts, accounting for ballot papers, consolidation of election results, and polling schemes implemented on Election Day.
"All of the forms contain information of public importance that must be available to citizens, according to the Constitution and law of Pakistan," said statement released by Fafen, adding that the release of these documents is necessary for ECP to fulfill its public commitment and meet legal standards for electoral transparency.
The documents include Form XIV (Statement of the Count) and Form XV (Ballot Paper Account) for all polling stations for all National and Provincial Assembly constituency elections, as well as Form XVI (Consolidation of Statements of the Count), Form XVII (Result of the Count) and the Polling Scheme exactly as implemented on Election Day for all National and Provincial Assembly constituencies.
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"The public release of all key documents is required in order to address questions being raised about the quality and transparency of the General Elections 2013," said Fafen.
All citizens can sign a petition urging the ECP to publish the documents by clicking on the following web link https://www.fafen.org/petition/ecp/sign.
A Fafen advertisement urging citizens to sign a petition to demand the election commission to upload the necessary forms on its website for electoral transparency. PHOTO: FAFEN
The development comes in the wake of protests in Islamabad being staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding alleged rigging in the elections.
The ECP forms contain the records of polling station vote counts, accounting for ballot papers, consolidation of election results, and polling schemes implemented on Election Day.
"All of the forms contain information of public importance that must be available to citizens, according to the Constitution and law of Pakistan," said statement released by Fafen, adding that the release of these documents is necessary for ECP to fulfill its public commitment and meet legal standards for electoral transparency.
The documents include Form XIV (Statement of the Count) and Form XV (Ballot Paper Account) for all polling stations for all National and Provincial Assembly constituency elections, as well as Form XVI (Consolidation of Statements of the Count), Form XVII (Result of the Count) and the Polling Scheme exactly as implemented on Election Day for all National and Provincial Assembly constituencies.
The .
"The public release of all key documents is required in order to address questions being raised about the quality and transparency of the General Elections 2013," said Fafen.
All citizens can sign a petition urging the ECP to publish the documents by clicking on the following web link https://www.fafen.org/petition/ecp/sign.
A Fafen advertisement urging citizens to sign a petition to demand the election commission to upload the necessary forms on its website for electoral transparency. PHOTO: FAFEN