electoral reforms in pakistan - east-west center · electoral reforms – a popular demand, 85 % !...
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Pak
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Electoral Reforms in Pakistan Ahmed Bilal Mehboob
PILDAT: www.pildat.org
East-West Center
Deepening Democracy Through Media in Pakistan National Alumni Conference 2014
October 18, 2014
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v Electoral Reforms – a popular demand, 85 %
v Significant electoral reforms already in place
v Reforms are an ongoing process
v Reforms themselves would not guarantee good results; implementation and enforcement is important
v For the implementation of electoral reforms continuity of democratic order is of great importance. 2
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Some significant electoral reforms during Musharraf regime (1999-2009):
v Reduced voting age to 18 Y
v Increased number of seats in legislatures
v Increased Women’s Reserved Seats
v Introduced University Degree as a Candidate’s Qualification
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Key electoral reforms during PPPP Government (2008-2013):
v A full time Election Commission
v Bi-partisan appointment of CEC & Members
v Bi-partisan appointment of Caretaker Govts.
v CNIC must for vote registration & casting
v Computerised Electoral Rolls
v Full-time, Dedicated Election Tribunals 4
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v Continuing low Public Trust in Electoral Process will Discredit Democracy
v Experiences of 2013 Election still Fresh v Consensus on Electoral Reforms becomes
difficult closer to next election
Why Electoral Reforms NOW?
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v Qualifications of EC Members & CEC in the
constitution be amended; CEC & Members may not necessarily be from Judiciary
v Retired Judges Should Not Be Appointed in EC directly after Retirement
v Biometric verification of voter before voting
v Electronic Voting Machine
v Law to limit & Regulate Election Spending by Political Parties 6
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v ECP should strengthen system of
constituency monitors
v Law and Mechanism to Control outgoing Government’s Influence in Elections; (e.g Dev Funds, Advance Payment to TV Channels)
v ECP Should Exercise Control, Superintendence and Discipline on Election Staff seconded to it
v Independence of the Polling Staff be ensured 7
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• Better Training of Returning Officers & Polling Staff
• Training of Polling Agents
• Increase the number of Polling Stations & make them Permanent
• Post polling-station wise statement of count on ECP website as soon as received
• Strict Compliance of Electoral Code of Conduct and giving it a legal cover 8
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v A Culture of Consultation & Dialogue
v Election Tribunals Should Decide Petitions within the 4- Months Period Prescribed in the Law; ECP Role?
v Appointment of Returning Officers other than from Judiciary
v The system of appointing caretaker governments should be reviewed
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v Mechanism be devised for Voting by
Overseas Pakistanis; Are we ready for massive postal balloting?
v Extend the period of scrutiny of candidates nomination papers
v Improve the enforceability of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution
v A constitutional cover for regular Local Govt Election
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v Proportional Representation System
v System to elect women on quota needs improvement
v Presidential Vs Parliamentary form of government
v Run-off elections in constituencies
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v Parliamentary Committee on Electoral
Reforms should expeditiously complete its work by 21st October
v Resulting Legislative Agenda be implemented (i.e Laws made) by January 2015 latest
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Thank You!