pakistan election observation summary recommendations · organizing young women's groups. b....

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Pakistan

General Elections 2013

Election Observation

Summary

&

Recommendations

For Electoral Reforms

3

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Aware Girls is thankful to Australian High Commission for their financial support to the project,

FAFEN for the technical support, and Election Commission of Pakistan for facilitating Aware

Girls’ team in observing the female polling stations. The monitoring was made possible because

of the brave efforts of the young women who stood strong and observed the polling till counting

process.

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Title: Pakistan General Election 2013: Election Observation Summary And Recommendations For Electoral Reforms

All Rights Reserved. Any Part Of This Publication May Be Produced Or Translated By Duly Acknowledging The Source.

Edition: June 2013,

Aware Girls, House No 296, Street No 18, F-4, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan Email: [email protected] Website:

www.awaregirls.org

Design By: Faryal Shah

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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ......................................................................................... 3

TITLE........................................................................................................................ 4

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... 5

Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 6

Aware Girls Organization ....................................................................................... 8

Rationale ................................................................................................................... 9

General summary of election overall Pakistan .................................................. 10

Methodology ........................................................................................................... 11

Election day district-wise findings ....................................................................... 12

The average turnout of the three districts overall ............................................. 22

Analysis of Data ...................................................................................................... 25

Key Recommendations .......................................................................................... 36

Additional Recommendations ............................................................................... 38

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................... 39

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Aware Girls is young women led Organization working for the empowerment of young women,

democracy and peace building in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since 2002. Aware Girls’ with

the support of Australian High Commission Islamabad observed the elections in more than 60

female polling stations of District Peshawar, Mardan, and Swabi. The purpose of the observation

was to monitor if women votes free and fairly, and to identify the issues faced by women during

elections. Aware Girls’ trained a team of around 80 young women in District Peshawar, Mardan

and Swabi as Stationary election observers, and 15 young women as mobile observers. It was a

historic moment in Pakistan, crowds of women were seen in the polling stations who were facing

the heat, humiliation, and mismanagement but were committed to poll their vote. It was obvious

that women were out to shape the democratic history of Pakistan.

The female voters turnout remain low in general in the three districts. In District Peshawar out of

the 21 polling stations observed lowest female voters turnout was 24.2% and highest female

voters turnout was 69.6%In District Swabi the lowest female voters turnout out of the 20 polling

stations observed was 20% (Swabi), while zero votes were polled in one polling station after the

local elders in the polling station forced the authorities to shut down the polling station (Sheikh

Dheri Swabi)In District Mardan out of the 25 polling stations observed there was zero turnout of

females in one polling station, it was shut down after aggressive decision of local people. The

lowest females voter turnout was 6.8% in a polling station of Swal Dheri Village.

Some of the other issues identified by Aware Girls’ team during the observations were:

1. Occupation of the polling stations through the arms (weapons) and allowing female

voters of only their specific party/candidate for polling

2. Occupation of the polling stations by the unauthorized political parties or candidates'

representatives (and Polling agents in some polling stations) and letting only women of

their political party/candidate to enter the polling booth. The polling agents (whose duty

is to observe the elections and make sure the process if followed) were doing political

mobilization inside the polling booths, forcing women to vote for their political parties,

and not in some polling station no allowing women inside the polling booth who were not

voting for their political party/candidate.

3. The polling agents were able to control the entry of women through the slips provided by

the political parties workers to the voters for their serial number identification. Female

voters with serial number slips of specific provided were given priority while others were

left behind

4. Voter mobilization happened not only within the polling stations but also inside the

polling booths

5. Quranic Oaths were taken at inside as well outside the polling stations from women to

either vote for a specific candidate or not to vote at all if women don’t vote for the

specific political party

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6. Fake votes were reported, at one polling station the stamp disappeared for some time and

fake votes were polled through it. The ballot boxes also disappeared in some polling

station at the time of counting.

7. Different political parties camps/stall were located adjacent to the polling stations where

bribes and vote selling was happening.

8. The polling staff was not well trained in different polling stations and the official polling

process was not followed in certain areas

9. In the polling stations in the most remote areas of the three districts, the polling process

not followed and voters kept on stamping votes in open thus giving the polling staff and

polling agents control over women’s vote.

10. In different polling stations, females were accompanied by polling agents as well as other

unauthorized persons within the polling booth to the secrecy screen to influence women’s

vote.

11. Incidents of unarmed conflicts were reported from all target districts, which caused delay

or pause in the polling process

12. Mismanagement was reported from almost every polling station of District Peshawar,

Swabi and Mardan. There were no female security officers to control the crowd of

women and queue them, resulting in occupation of many polling stations by the crowd of

women thus interpreting the voting process and giving opportunity to the political

workers to influence women’s vote.

13. The space in the polling stations was not enough leading to mismanagement and

overcrowding.

14. From one polling station the voter stamp disappeared for some time and fake votes were

reported

15. The election staff in some polling stations was not well equipped with skills to conduct

polling process.

16. The counting process was in generally observed as transparent except one polling station

where a ballot box disappeared.

Besides, these challenges, the positive aspect was that the voters turnout was highest in the

history of Pakistan, the election staff in most of the polling stations was committed to their duty.

It was a day which shaped the history of Pakistan democracy and the role of women has become

much more important to sustain democracy.

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AWARE GIRLS ORGANIZATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

AWARE GIRLS, a renowned organization, is led by young women dedicated to work for

women empowerment, gender equality and peace stability in Pakistan. It aims at strengthening

the leadership capacity of young women enabling them to act as agents of social change and

women empowerment in their respective communities.

1.2 VISION

AWARE GIRLS envisions a world where women-rights are as respected as human rights on an

equal footing, where women are the controllers of their own lives having equal access to

education, employment, governance, justice, legal support, financial resources, recreation, health

specifically sexual and reproductive health and social services.

1.3 MISSION

The core mission of AWARE GIRLS is to empower young women, advocate their equal rights

and to strengthen their capacity, enabling them to act as agents of women empowerment and

social change.

1.4 Values Of The Organization

Women's rights are Human rights.

Human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated.

Aware Girls affirms the full and equal enjoyment of Human rights is due to all women.

Aware Girls maintain that to securing these rights, the prerequisite is the universal

ratification and implementation without conventional reservations on the elimination of

all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW).

Peace, tolerance and pluralism are the basic pillars of human rights

1.5 Structure Of The Organization

The organization demonstrates its commitment to gender equality and female human

rights as well as concentrating on the way young girls are viewed by the society and the

way they view themselves.

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The organization is governed and directed by young women. The decision-making body,

The Board of Directors of AWARE GIRLS comprises young women. The management

of AWARE GIRLS is carried out by young female staff.

AWARE GIRLS have young women members of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of

Pakistan. The membership is open to young women ranging from age 12 to 29.

1.6 Key-Objectives

1. Women Rights and Human Rights.

2. Social, cultural, and political rights of women.

3. Sexual and reproductive health rights of young women including HIV/AIDS.

4. Peace, non-violence, tolerance and pluralism.

5. Promotion of micro-entrepreneurship in young women.

1.7 Major Activity Tools

a. Organizing young women's groups.

b. Capacity building of young women's groups.

c. Awareness anticipation.

d. Peer education and study circles.

e. Advocacy for the institutionalized protection and promotion of women- rights.

f. Holding dialogues among stakeholders on women-rights issues.

g. Networking and partnerships.

RATIONALE

The tribal and feudal norms, conventions and values are practiced in the rural areas of Khyber-

Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan since times immemorial till date. These feudal and tribal norms

predominantly victimize women, thus pressing them down to a very low status. Women mobility

is prohibited in the name of honour. The religious circles strongly support such values and norms

in the name of Islamic teachings. Women are prohibited to cast their votes in the election process

under the pressure of local elites and religious circles of the area. The rural women in general have

no say and participate in the political process of the country.

In the rural areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa the conventions and traditions of Pukhtoon culture are

followed religiously. Strict “parda” is observed and women's mobility is very restricted. The trends

and indicators of religious extremism are evident as the most famous Madrassas and the groups

following a specific hardliners school of thought stems from this area. Recently six NGO's teachers

were killed and polio teams were attacked in Swabi.

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However secular, liberal and democratic forces also exist but ironically those liberal voices are too

weak and in many cases these progressive and liberal forces even cannot express their point of

view and surrender to the decisions made by the carriers of patriarchal legacy.

The local elders of the community under the influence of religious groups and in some cases by

the political parties’ local leadership make decisions in order to restrict women from casting their

votes. A written agreement is signed by the elders of the area stating that no woman should be

allowed to go out of her house and cast the vote. It is considered vulgar if a woman goes out of her

house to cast vote. These forces enjoy the power and support of the so-called Jirgas to achieve

their objectives. In some cases these influential people compel the candidates to sign an agreement

to not to allow women to come out of their houses and cast their votes belonging to their respective

groups. They even compel the election staff and stop them to provide facility to any woman to cast

her vote.

The other issue witnessed in the rural areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is that women do not use

their votes according to their own choice but they follow the male members of their families and

even the male members strictly direct them to cast their votes for the candidates of their (male

members) choice.

2.1 Justification

Women are deprived of their fundamental right to cast their vote according to their choice

because women of the area are either voiceless or have a weak and lower voice. Sadly, those

who support women's participation are also suppressed. The conservative forces are successful

as no voice is raised against such forces from the community.

The election commission of Pakistan and civil society have strictly noticed the situation and

election commission of Pakistan has assured the free and transparent election process in the next

general elections.

There is a need to strictly observe the process of election, especially the process of facilities and

environment provision for women in order to enable them to cast their vote according their own

choice free of any fear and interference.

2.2 Objectives

i. To strengthen capacity of civil society organizations, media, bar associations and

community activists to monitor the free and fair process of women voting during the

general elections in Swabi, Charsadda and Peshawar.

ii. To monitor, oversee and watch the women voting process during the general elections and

develop reports and share with election commission of Pakistan and other stakeholders.

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GENERAL SUMMARY OF ELECTION OVERALL PAKISTAN

A relatively strong democratic commitment was demonstrated in the 2013 general elections in

Pakistan, by the state authorities, political parties and voters. Despite the threat of militant attacks,

and procedural shortcomings, a highly competitive electoral process was witnessed this time. A

marked increase in voter turnout was seen for the first time in the history of Pakistan’s electorate.

However, fundamental problems remained unchanged. The ECP fell short of legal framework and

the implementation of certain provisions, leaving future processes vulnerable to malpractice. The

state, in general, failed to meet the obligations to provide citizens the right and the opportunity to

stand as candidates and to vote.

METHODOLOGY

Keeping the security issues in consideration , female observers were assigned to the polling

stations which were nearest to their residences. The polling station scheme for Khyber-

Pakhtunkhwa was announced only a few hours before the main election day and it was not

possible to cater every polling station, therefore, with the collaboration of FAFEN, assigning of

the polling stations were on the basis of no-replication between FAFEN and AWARE GIRLS

observers. The strategy adopted was that the polling station being observed by FAFEN was not

to be observed by AWARE GIRLS observers.

The assigning of the polling station process was carried out constituencies-wise data of 2008

election conducted by FAFEN which comprised polling station’s name, number, polling booths

count, female polling booths, combined polling booths, number of registered voters, female

registered voters count in female polling stations.

4.1 Districts Observed In Election Monitoring

The working areas of AWARE GIRLS are 5 districts of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and the

task of election monitoring was observed in three out of these five major districts i.e. Peshawar,

Mardan, and Sawabi. In every district, almost 20 polling stations were being covered by our

workers through constituencies which covers the overall district.

4.2 Election Day Observation

On Election Day, 11 May 2013, the AWARE GIRLS team conducted a nationwide election

observation, following internationally recognized methodology and principles.

Nearly, 60 AWARE GIRLS polling station observers (PSOS) witnessed and recorded the

number of ballots in a statistically-valid sample of randomly-selected polling stations in 4

National Assembly constituencies. An additional 4 mobile observer (MOS) in each district

helped to transport the “statement of the count” and PSO checklists from polling stations.

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ELECTION DAY DISTRICT-WISE FINDINGS

5.1 PESHAWAR DISTRICT

The graph depicted above shows the overall turnout in 21 polling stations under Aware Girls

monitoring to record total female voters who cast their votes. The highest rate being only 69.5%

whereas, in the last election of 2008, the same school, Government girls’ high school Tehkal

Bala showed 10% turnout. The average remains 37.8%, which shows a very low turnout in the

21 polling stations. At Peshawar polling stations, a good turnout was observed and females

responded positively to voting as they wanted a pure and fair democratic government.

The highest turnout was observed at a polling station at Tehkal Bala where for the first time

female voters came out for voting. Even the combined polling stations were also occupied by

females, their brothers and sons were coming along to get them inside the polling station. One of

male voter told us that he had brought his grandmother on his back due to old age, to cast her

vote.

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39.8

37.1

35.1

35.1

39.6

24.2

40.9

34.4

42.3

36.2

36

38

33

69.6

24.3

53.4

40.8

46.9

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29.2

Govt Girls Middle School Karimpura, Behlol Dhana

Commerce College Bilala Town

Govt Frontier College for Women

Industrial Home Corporation Colony

City Dist. Govt Degree College

Govt High School Nauthia Qadeem

Givt Girls High School Near Cofee Shop University…

Govt Girls Primary School, Near Cofee Shop (72)

Govt High School Gharib Abad, Tehkal Bala

Govt Girls Primary School, Sector D/4, Near Super…

F.G Degree College for Women, Mall Road

Govt Girls Primary School Tauki

Jica Model School Japan Basharat Market

Givt Girls Primary School J4, Hayatabad

Govt Girls High Secondary School, University Town

Govt Girls Primary School Jander Gali, Nauthia

Govt Girls Primary School No1 Din Bahar Colony,…

PESCO High School, WAPDA House

Govt Girls Primary School Hassan Ghari

Peshawar Public School, Warsak Road

Govt Girls higher Secondary School Chamkani

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5.1.1 Peshawar Monitoring

1.1 Polling Station Under Observation/Observer

S.No Name Of

Observer

Constituency Polling Station Name Polling

Station No

Registered

Votes

1. Attiya Usman NA 4 Gov. Girls Higher

Secondary School

Chamkani (Female )

220 2101

2. Syeeda Nasreen

Niaz

NA 2 Government High

School Boys Nauthia

Qadeem (Female) P*

8 1646

3. Miss Shameem NA 2 Government Girls

Primary School Jander

Gali Nauthia (Female)

12 1333

4. Sundas Shah NA 3 Peshawar Public School

Wersak Road Peshawar

279 1467

5. Lubna Shah NA 3 Gov. Primary School

Hassan Ghari

267 2133

6. Mehreen Amjad

Ali

NA 2 Government Girls

Primary School Swati

Tanki (Female)

32 1643

7. Shehla Jacoline NA 2 F. G. Degree College

Cantt Peshawar

144 1009

8. Aneesa Gul NA 2 JICA Model School 1415

9. Nisha Rehman NA 1 Commerce College Bilal

Town

60 1564

10. Namra Jailani NA 1 Government Frontier

College

122 982

11. Shabana

Rehman

NA 1 City District

Government College

50 1198

12. Saima Feroz NA 2 Government Girls High

School Gareebabad

75 944

13. Kulsoom Jannat NA 2 Government Girls High

School near Coffee Shop

University Campus

70 1947

14. Brishna Feroz NA 2 Government Primary

School Coffee Shop

72 916

15. Saima Yousaf NA 1 Industrial Home Centre 35

16. Surriya Khan NA 2 Government Girls High

School

129

14

17. Aneela Aman NA 2 Government Girls

Primary School Sector

D4 Near Super Market

69

18. Sajida Bibi NA 3 Government Primary

School Hassan Ghari

269

19. Lubna Shah NA 3 Government Girls

School Hassan Ghari

267 499

20. Sarosh Sahar

Sadiqui

Gul-Bahar Primary

School No2

Invalid

Data

21. Sundas Shah NA3 Peshawar Public Girls

High School

279 1467

22. Noor Nabia NA 2 Government Girls

Higher Secondary

School University Town

262

23. Malgharara NA 3 Government Girls

Primary School No 1

Din Bahar Colony

Peshawar

172

5.2 CHALLENGES/ISSUES

5.2.1 Problem Of Identity

One of the observers in Peshawar did not get an entry by police on the entrance gate of polling

stations, a Government middle school for boys Nauthia Qadeem, as there were spelling mistakes

in her name mentioned in the election commission of Pakistan-issued accreditation cards. The

observer talked to the presiding officer and she asked for another accreditation card of same

observer. After visiting ECP office, it took her 30 minutes for another accreditation card after

which she was allowed to enter the polling station. She had to take along her observer to ECP

office because the security was not allowing the observer into a polling station and the road was

packed with men and the observer could not be left alone on the road.

5.2.2 Indiscipline In Different Situations

At Government Girls Primary School Swati Tanki (Female), all three women’s polling booths,

were crowded into one tiny, hot classroom upstairs. The cardboard polling booths had not

arrived, so the presiding officer ripped sheets of paper on school desks to provide limited privacy

for the voters. Critically, no election staff had arrived, so, even these booths had not opened for

two hours on the voting day.

5.2.3 Mob-Behavior Of Females

At Gov. Girls Higher Secondary School Chamkani (Female), dozens of women crowded the

hallway outside. Finally the desperate presiding officer opened the booths with the help of only a

police officer and a political party volunteer.

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This was a clear violation of the rules. The security forces and political parties had strict

instructions not to interfere with the voting in any way, but it was done in the interest of giving

these women a chance to vote.

In a poor slum, at Government Girls School Hassan Ghari polling station, It was witnessed that

many women were voting in groups, often daughters helping their illiterate mothers read and

navigate rather complicated ballot papers. Upon arrival of the Aware Girls observer to the desk

of the presiding officer, she stopped the illegal process but later it was continued again.

5.2.4 No Back-Up For Load Shedding

Electricity shutdown was noticed the whole day at Government Girls Primary School Jander Gali

Nauthia and it was unbearable for all of them to stay there and work properly. This polling

station was situated in Nothia Jadeed.

At Industrial Home Centre polling station, polling agents and some candidates with their

supporters had raided on polling booth and made hurdles in the voting process whereas the

media did not take any notice of this rip-off.

Management was nowhere and no lady-police was seen in any polling station. Another polling

station which was in HassanGhari, a girls primary school, was very small and suffocated and

voters were sitting on stairs as this school had no compound.

5.2.5 Positive Points Identified

The overall polling process went very peacefully, although expectations were opposite before

election. Government Girls High School Chamkani polling staff was unable to conduct the whole

process as it was supposed to be because the polling agents were very influential and they had

taken over the assistant presiding officer’s tasks who were observed sitting aside helpless

because the security staff was unable to control the voters and the agents.

The most peaceful and well-managed polling station was FG Girls College Cantt, where the

polling staff was trained and were following all the rules set for polling booth. Voters were in the

queue and the police was cooperative. Another example of polling station where rules were

being followed by opening of polling station till the counting process was Peshawar Public

School polling station, Warsak road.

Police was performing its duties efficiently except few polling stations, but the situation took

intense shape on it started reaching in its close at 5 pm.

5.3 MARDAN DISTRICT

The Lowest turnout was observed in Swal dheri Polling Station being 6.8% whereas the highest

turnout was recorded in Gov. Girls High School Rashakai polling station being 100.1% clearly

showing rigging as the number of polled votes was more than registered voters, although the

figure shows a very positive impact of participation of females, but in reality, more action was

taken against the parties.

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5.3.1 Mardan Monitoring

In the Mardan District 20 Different Polling Stations were being observed by the Aware Girls

Election Observation Team.

Ps

no

Observer Polling station Name Registered

vote

Polled

vote

Constituency

162 Farzia begum Govt; Girls Centenial

Model School, Kanal

Rd, P.S.No.1 (P)

Female

952 327 NA 9

165 Pram Kumari Govt. Girls Primary

School, Karwan Road

(P) Female

1084 327 NA9

141 Jan Pari Govt. Primary School,

Qalam Jan Banda (P)

Combined

463 96 NA 11

177 Sanam Rani Govt. Girls Primary

School, Landai (P)

Female

683 126 NA 11

97 Beena Govt. Girls Primary

School, Butt Sehri (P)

Female

1523 267 NA 11

169 Sidra Govt. Girls High

School, No.1, Shamsi

Road (P) Female

1064 346 NA 9

9521084

463

683

1523

1064

1542

410

9971203

1416

634

1189

327 327

96 126267 346

503

59192

356154

635

281

Female Voters Turnout in Mardan

Votes Registered Votes Polled

17

74 Akhtari Naz Govt. Girls Primary

School, No.1, Shehbaz

Garhi (P) Female

1542 503 NA 11

133 Jahan Ara Govt. High School,

Baringun (P)

Combined

410 59 NA 11

227 khushnuma bibi Govt. Girls Primary

School, No.1, Noor

Man Khel

997 192 NA 9

155 Beena mumtaz Govt. Girls Primary

School, Labor Colony

(P) Female

1203 356 NA 9

154 Shame Mir Govt. Girls Middle

School, Labor Colony

(P) Female

1416 154 NA 9

4 Salma Bibi Govt. Girls Primary

School, Khwaja

Rashaka (P) Female

634 635 NA 9

76 Bakhti Jan Govt.Girls High

School, Ghala Dher P.S

No.2(P) Female

1189 281 NA 9

200 Kulsoom Bibi Govt. Primary School,

Dagai Female

1238 217 NA 9

239 Nasra Noor Govt.Girls Primary

Secondary, Sawal

Dher(P) Female

1785 123 NA 11

218 Jalwa Govt. Primary School,

Sikandari Upper

Portion, P.S.No.2 (P)

Female

1240 408 NA 9

217 Sabra Bibi Govt. Primary School,

Sikandari Lower

Portion, P.S.No.1 (P)

Female

786 108 NA 9


5.4.1 Violation Of Rules

In almost every polling station, rules and regulations were not followed by the voters. Some

polling stations were not easily accessible to the female voters. In some polling stations, i-e.

Govt. Girls Middle School, Labor Colony (P) Female, Govt. Primary School, Sikandari Lower

Portion, P.S.No.1 (P) Female, polling staff was involved in corruption, reportedly polling fake

votes in the ballot boxes. The polling stations were crowded and the polling agents were not able

to control the situation of the polling booth.

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5.4.2 Shortage Of Security Staff

The security staff was performing its duty efficiently, but there were a large number of people

accompanying the female voters. At the close of 5 pm, voters, agents and party supporters started

entering into polling booths and created a disturbance in the voting process. The security staff

was not able to control them.

5.4.3 Fake Votes And Corruption

In Govt. Girls Primary School No.1, Shahbaz Ghari, the polling staff was involved in corruption

and rigging. The outsiders and strong political party supporters were trying to convince the

voters to vote for their party. In timings between 12 pm to 1 pm, the JUI party workers were

giving slush money to people and were forcing people to vote only for their party. Rigging was

going on imprudently. In the village Rustam and Shah Bashar votes were being sold from 500-

2000 rs. It was mainly carried out by each party agent. In Government Girls High School, Ghala

Dher polling station, two party supporters (Pakistan People’s Party and Muslim League) had a

fight outside the polling station. A police officer informed Aware Girls observer but she was

unable to report ECP or media.

5.4.5 Threats To The PollingStaff

In Centennial Model School, canal road Mardan polling station, around 4 pm, one of the political

party armed worker rushed into the polling station in the presence of the security staff and

forced the polling staff to stop the voting process of females otherwise they will have to face

adverse consequences. The presiding officer was threatened at gunpoint and the voting process

was stopped at 4 pm till the end. The polling process was stopped for one hour. Within an hour,

Pak-Army reached the station and took over. The whole situation was brought back to normal

and the party supporters left the polling station when informed of the army's arrival.

5.4.6 Security Staff Favoritism

The security staff assigned to Govt. Primary School, Qalam Jan Banda (P) Combined and Govt.

Girls Primary School, Landai Female of Mardan polling stations, was also directing people to

vote for a particular party.

5.4.7 Disputes

There were Rumors outside Gov. Girls Primary School, a Dhagai Mardan polling station about a

fight between the police and a boy who got injured as well. The boy was the supporter of the

Muslim League party. A conflict was made by a political party member (Kwanzaa Khan) and

Police solved that conflict.

Party supporters were passing remarks to each other and it took serious shape when they started

brawling and involved common people. The presiding officer had to stop the voting process to

settle down the situation. Police were unable to stop them as they were lesser in number.

19

The polling agents were directing the female voters to vote for “Lubna”, a party member but the

security staff overcame this conflict.

5.4.8 Weak Polling Process

The Govt. Girls Primary School, No.1, Noor Man Khel, P.S.No.1, and Govt. Girls Primary

School, Labor Colony polling station was over packed with voters. No one was waiting for their

turn and in fact the polling officer was not calling voter names later in afternoon whereas the

number of females increased in the afternoon. Secrecy screen was not clearly visible and more

than two females were behind the secrecy screen.

Such situations slowed down the voting process and the voters gathered for casting vote. When

ECP announced one hour extension in the polling process, the crowd was more intensely

uncontrollable and the security staff was not trying to handle them.

5.4.9 Political Party Influences

Govt. Girls High School Middle polling station no. 154, ANP supporters were trying to enter into

the polling booth at 11:10 am. A man came to poll his vote in the female polling booth but he

was sent back but at 3:15 pm, the same man came back wearing shuttle cork Burqa and was

caught by the polling staff and security arrested him.

At Govt. Girls Primary School No.1, Shehbaz Garhi PS no. 74 polling station, PPP and PTI

supporters fought because PPP was buying votes from voters. Party agents and some members of

the polling staff was involved in this corruption. Polling staff also facilitated PPP polling agents

as they were being paid.

In Gov. Girls High School Ghala Dher PS polling station, PML (N) and PPP party supporters

fought because PML (N) candidates were buying votes from the voters.

SAWABI DISTRICT

14981262 1312

991

1431

825

1177

597

12651001

1355 1347

1019

208

607409 366

512307 401 304 254

0

424302

0200400600800

1000120014001600

Registered Votes Polled Votes

20

1. Swabi Monitoring

The following table shows the data of polling stations according to National Assembly

constituency where Aware Girls Observers were performing observation.

Name Polling Station NA PS

Delray Begum Gov. Girls Primary School Shagai Maneri Bala 12 5

Saima Anwar Gov. Girls High School Maneri Bala. 12 12

Mustameena Gov. Girls High School Gulshan Abad Maneri

Payan.

12 19

Nargis Begum Gov. Girls Degree College Shagai Maneri Bala. 12 45

Shazia Bibi Gov. Girls Primary School Spin Kani Asota. 12 144

Seema Khan Gov. Girls Primary School Seri-1 Maneri Bala 12 7

Anila Naz Gov. Girls Primary School Gulshan Abad Maneri

Payan

12 16

Farzia Gov. Girls Primary School No-2 Maneri Payan 12 24

Rahila Gov. Girls Centennial Model School Swabi 12 30

Salma Yasir Gov. Primary School No 2 Tordheri 13 13

Nazish Gov. Girls Primary School No 2 Anbar 13 18

Salma Rehman Gov. Primary School No1 Sheikh Dheri Anbar 13 21

Roheed Bibi Gov. Girls Primary School No 1 Beka. 13 29

Khadija Gov. Girls High School Jhangira 13 51

Memona Gov. Girls High School Jhangira 13 55

Tayaba Naz Gov. Primary School Islamia Lahore 13 81

Nageena Gov. Girls High School Zaida 13 110

Nabeela Gov. Girls Primary School No 1 Zaida 13 114

Muneera


5.5.1 No Entry Of Observers

All the observers were being issued the accreditation cards by ECP to perform their duties but

despite all document verification, at Govt. Primary School No1, Sheikh Dheri Anbar and Govt.

Girls High School Jhangira, Aware Girls observers were not given permission to enter the

21

polling stations where they were assigned. These polling stations were at a distance from each

other and after all negotiations with the presiding officer, they got an entry.

5.5.2 No Right To Vote

Many female voters could not cast their votes and the reason stated was that their vote has no

importance, with no permission to leave the house to cast votes and were restricted by their male

members of the family. The same situation was observed by our observer at Govt. Primary

School no.1, Sheikh Dheri Anbar polling station no.21, where female voters were not allowed to

cast their vote because of the decision of Jirga in their village.

5.5.3 Non Availability Of Polling Booths

In Govt. Girls High School, Jhangira polling station no. 51 and 55 females were entering the

polling booth without any proper sequence and some of the polling booths were not established,

therefore, females who were registered in the particular polling station could not find their

polling booths.

At Govt. Primary School Islamia Lahore, male representatives were entering to female polling

stations where they were restricted.

At Gov. Girls Centennial Model School Swabi, Political agents were forcing aged females to cast

their votes for their suggested candidates.

In Gov. Girls High School Maneri Bala, female voters were going to the secrecy screen with

their relatives to cast their votes. Presiding officer of Gov. Girls Primary School no. 1 Zaida,

rejected the votes of some females as they failed to produce their NICs.

5.5.4 Raid Of Political Party

At Govt. Girls Primary School, Spin Kani Asota and Govt. Girls Primary School no. 2 Anbar

were closed down for some time because some political parties were forcing females to cast

votes to their parties. Few females who were party agents and supporters took over the control of

polling process and started polling fake votes and the polling staff was helpless in stopping them.

At Govt. Primary School no.1, Sheikh Dheri Anbar, polling process ran smoothly but afterwards

political parties workers forced women to cast vote to them.

5.5.5 Polling Staff’s Irresponsibility

In Govt. Girls Primary School Gulshan Abad Maneri Payan, polling staff was not performing

their duties efficiently. They were rather working as representatives of political parties and

helping them in rigging openly.

22

5.5.6 Common Irregularities Polling Stations Overall

In Govt. Girls Primary School Seri-1 Maneri Bala, a woman were casting a vote on behalf of her

sister. Some female voters were fighting with the presiding officer to let them cast their first

vote as they had to reach homes for household chores. A female was reluctant to show her CNIC

whereas she wanted to cast her vote. Some females were not allowed to cast their vote while they

were having their codes. The majority of women was not following the row and were pushing

each other to get first place. The security staff could not control them due to cultural barriers.

The verbal instructions were inaudible due to noise in the polling booth.

THE AVERAGE TURNOUT OF THE THREE DISTRICTS OVERALL

The above graph shows the overall turnout of female participation in the polling stations of three

districts. Highest turnout was recorded in Peshawar district whereas the lowest was observed in

Mardan district due to the political party’s involvement in the voting process and bad

management.

6.1 Common Findings in all Three Districts

6.1.1 Influential Polling Agents

In majority of the polling stations, the polling agents were very influential. They had allegedly

forced the polling staff and the voters vote for their parties and the locals were found following

them because they were afraid of their power.

In Peshawar NA 4, the worst situation was witnessed when the whole voting process was taken

under the control of polling agents and the polling staff was found helpless.

peshawar Mardan sawabi

Series1 37.80% 26.70% 33.20%

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

Axi

s Ti

tle

Turnout Ratio

23

In Swabi the polling agents were casting votes instead of female voters and the police was unable

to stop them from rigging. Some of the staff members were found stamping ballot papers and

putting in the ballot boxes.

6.1.2 Untrained Polling Staff

Most of polling staff were untrained and were not aware of the proper voting process. They were

occupied by the females and the polling staff was not guiding the voters about stamping and

folding of ballot paper.

6.1.3 Paid Voters

Many voters in all polling stations of three districts were being paid to cast vote to a certain

party. Supporters and even agents were providing lunch to get their favor in casting votes.

Females were also casting votes publicly and some females were accompanied by their relatives

or husbands who were asking them to vote for a certain party.

An incident occurred at spin Kanri (Swabi) polling station where a female cast vote for a party

and the agent of another party called up her husband and informed him about his wife voting to

another party.

6.1.4 Lesser Security Staff

In overall, all the polling stations, security staff were hardly in the country. They were not

performing their duty stating they were helpless in controlling the female voters due to cultural-

barrier they were bound to follow being not to be harsh or strict with women.

At Chamkani polling station in Peshawar, the police was sitting aside, more like onlookers. In

Government Girls Primary School Hassan Ghari, the policemen were standing outside because

the polling station was very congested and over-packed with females.

6.1.5 Mobilization Inside Polling Stations

Many political party candidates and their supports interrupted the polling process. At Frontier

College polling booth, the process was being stopped by a party candidate and his wife was

raged upon polling staff for not directing females in casting votes to their party.

6.1.6 Mismanagement

There were no proper queues made for females causing problem in reaching to the observer on

time. The polling booth numbers were not assigned and the presiding officer declared the

numbers of polling booths later. Many females were waiting at wrong polling stations because

they were registered in one polling station and they were told to wait on another polling station.

The crowd on all polling stations was huge and was not following any rules because the police

was not present to handle them.

24

6.1.7 Injuries Reported On Polling Station

Females were being injured due to their bad behavior. The use of abusive language and not

following the rules, the polling agents were at loggerheads with females who were not prone to

their instructions.

6.1.8 Absence of Polling Booths

The observers were assigned to different polling booths but some of them could not sit in the

assigned polling booth due to the non-availability of polling staff and also non-cooperation of

the presiding officers. Due to the single polling booth, the females were facing problems and

they had to wait for long.

6.1.9 Takeover by Army and Rangers

The Government Girls Secondary School Gul Bahar polling station was taken over by rangers

when polling process was not started even at 11am. Polling staff, polling agents and the voters.

All were fighting each other claiming the polling staff favoring a certain political party.

Polling process was stopped in 2 polling stations due to the arrival of party candidates who were

pressurizing the polling staff to vote for their party.

A polling station in Mardan was taken-over by rangers when a suicide-bomber was caught

outside the polling station.

6.1.10 Conflicts Inside the Polling Station

Conflicts were being observed in majority of the polling stations because of the female voters

who were securing space by force and pushing back the females who were already on their turn.

Conflict also arose due to fake votes at one polling station in Peshawar, NA-2 polling station,

where a candidate’s wife came and cast vote four times. Media was present but they did not take

it seriously and left the polling station. Likewise in Mardan and Swabi, the heads of the areas

were present at the polling stations with their armed guards and were found giving instructions to

voters in their favor.

6.1.11 Lack of Facilities

Many polling stations had no electricity and it created suffocation especially in those polling

stations which only one polling booth was operational. Drinking water was not provided and

females who had kids were found in trouble.

6.1.12 Incidents of Violence

Conflicts arose among different party workers, agents, supporters and relatives came along with

female voters and male crowd was also gathered outside the polling stations.

25

ANALYSIS OF THE DATA

7.1 Tabulated Data

The data collected from all the three districts, Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi were a checklist

which comprised 150 questions (SEE ANNEXTURE). All questions were quantitative. The

questions were designed in accordance with the situation and process. To obtain accurate data

based on facts and figures, the analysis was conducted using charts and tables where it was

considered necessary.

The selected tabulated data are as follows:

SECTION 2: OPENING OF THE POLLING STATION.

2.2: Inside the Polling Station:

Q 20: Polling Staff Signed Form 11-A (The Verification Of Ballot Boxes) From Polling Agent

And Candidate’s Present In Polling Booth

Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR

YES 16 14 12

NO NA 4 10

NA 2 NA NA

Total 18 18 22

The above table describes, that in majority of polling stations of Peshawar, presiding officer did

not emphasize on signing the count of statement whereas the same process was followed in

district Mardan and Sawabi.

SECTION 5: POLLING BOOTH.

5.2: Polling Booth Observation

Q 36: Polling Station Had Closed Down Before 5pm


YES 3 2 1

NO 16 22 22

NA Nil Nil Nil

The table depicts that all the polling stations were closed down after 5 pm. Election commission

of Pakistan had extended the polling process to one more hour and this was announced around 3

pm. In Mardan, a suicide attacker was caught at the polling station therefore the polling station

had to be closed. In another polling station, a candidate pointed gun at presiding officer and she

had to close down the polling station.

26

In Sawabi a polling station was closed down at 3 pm due to a dispute between two opposite

parties.

Q 37: Polling Booth Have Been Occupied and Only a Single Party/Candidate’s Voters Are

Being Allowing for Vote Casting


YES 3 2 1

NO 16 22 22

NA Nil Nil Nil

In the above table it is shown that in the initial hours of polling process, all polling stations were

pre-occupied by the party candidates and this raid remained till 3 pm in Sawabi. In Peshawar and

Mardan, polling stations remained under the candidates’ influence for 3 to 2 hours respectively.

This kind of absolute monopoly kept the polling process abeyance for some time as well.

SECTION 6: VOTING PROCESS.

6.1: Process of Voter’s Identification.

Q 60: Polling Officer Is Checking NIC of Every Voter


YES 16 21 22

NO 2 0 0

The above table shows the very fundamental step of polling process which was checking of

National Identity Card of voters which was checked as a first priority and those who did not

produce their NIC, were sent back. In Sawabi we can see that in two polling stations NIC were

not being checked and it was done after 3 pm where polling staff was not performing their duties

efficiently.

Q 66: Polling Officer Is Loudly Calling Name of Every Voter


YES 18 21 22

NO 0 0 0

The polling officer called out name of every voter loudly. This procedure is undertaken in order

to ensure the political agents to reconfirm the list they already have. If the name is not being

called, it gives the signal of polling officer’s rise. This process was done perfectly because

polling agents takes wrong action if polling officer do not call out names loudly.

27

Q 65: Voters Who Have Nothing For Their Identification Are Allowed To Cast Vote


YES 18 21 22

NO 0 0 0

The above table clearly shows that in all polling stations of district Peshawar, Mardan and

Sawabi the rule was strictly followed and those who were not possessing any identity document,

did not get permission to cast vote. It displays a 100% fair and free procedure in this step of

process.

The above graph depicts a 100% process of checking name of the voter from the list. This rule

was being followed throughout the day. Only this rule was being followed so that the registered

voter could avail her right of voting.

The above table shows that all the polling officers of the three districts were marking the voter

data of individual voter, once a voter was done with her basic information. This process was

followed till the end of polling process.

6.2: Distribution of National and Provincial assembly Ballot Papers:

Q 69: Polling officer is checking every voter name from the list


YES

NO 0 0 0

Q 70: Polling Officer Is Mark With Pen In Front Of Voter Data


YES

NO 0 0 0

Q 78: Assistant presiding officer1/2 have already stamped and signature the ballot papers and

received copies.


YES

NO 0 0 0

28

The above table shows the Peshawar district data on hourly basis. Till 11 am, the stamping was

in process but after 11 am stamping was being stopped. APO ½ had stamped the ballot paper

and received copies initially but later they were not stamping ballot papers.

6.3: The Process of Stamping the Ballot Papers by the Voters.

Q 82: Assisting Presiding Officer is guiding each voter to see the guiding poster on the

procedure of stamping the ballot paper

MARDAN

Time Yes No N/A

8:00-9:00 15 7 2

9:00-10:00 15 7 2

10:00-11:00 15 7 2

11:00-12:00 15 7 2

12:00-1:00 15 7 2

1:00-2:00 15 7 2

2;00-3:00 15 7 2

3:00-4:00 15 7 2

4:00-5:00 15 7 2

5:00-onwards 15 7 2

The above table shows the procedure of stamping ballot paper in Mardan district only. This was

followed in the initial hours but later, it was not followed. The table also signifies that in in some

hours the process was also stopped and nothing was being followed.

PESHAWAR

Time Yes No N/A

8:00-9:00 22 0 Nil

9:00-10:00 22 0 Nil

10:00-11:00 22 0 Nil

11:00-12:00 22 0 Nil

12:00-1:00 22 0 Nil

1:00-2:00 22 0 Nil

2;00-3:00 22 0 Nil

3:00-4:00 22 0 Nil

4:00-5:00 22 0 Nil

5:00-onwards 22 0 Nil

29

The above table clearly indicates that process was followed thoroughly the whole day in every

hour of the voting process.

SAWABI

Time Yes No N/A

8:00-9:00 7 7 4

9:00-10:00 7 7 4

10:00-11:00 7 7 4

11:00-12:00 7 7 4

12:00-1:00 7 7 4

1:00-2:00 7 7 4

2;00-3:00 7 7 4

3:00-4:00 7 7 4

4:00-5:00 7 7 4

5:00-onwards 7 7 4

In the above table we see the same trend being followed. Whole day the step of guiding voter to

stamp, was observed in every polling station.

Q 83:The Assisting Presiding Officer is giving verbal guidelines to the voter on how to stamp

the Ballot Paper.


YES

NO 0 0 0

The above table indicates the process on hourly basis. In initial hours, the APO’s were not

guiding even verbally but later, the instructions were being given to the voters. The above table

shows responsibility of APO of Mardan polling stations and indicates that almost 80 % of voters

were guided verbally and the trend remained same till closing hours. The APO’s were supposed

to guide the voters by the sample ballot paper and pencil in the polling booth.

Question no 87: The assistant presiding officers are folding the ballot papers in the wrong

way

TIME Yes No N/A

8:00-9:00 3 8 11

9:00-10:00 3 8 11

30

The above chart indicates the wrong method of ballot paper in each hour. The ratio of folding

Ballot Paper has wrongly been more than the folding of ballot paper in right way.

The table shows the detail data. The column N/A shows not available which means that in some

hours, the voting was not in process.

Question no 89: An unauthorized person is going behind the secrecy screen with the voter?

If yes, who

The above graph very clearly depicts that in the initial hours, in all the polling stations, no

unauthorized person was seen with the voter behind secrecy screen. Later, in third, fourth and

fifth hour, presence of unauthorized persons was recorded. The green bar in the graph indicates

that the secrecy screen was empty at few time intervals.

0

0

5

0

0

5

5

0

0

0

22

22

17

22

22

12

10

2

22

22

0

0

0

0

0

5

7

0

0

0

8:00-9:00

9:00-10:00

10:00-11:00

11:00-12:00

12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

2;00-3:00

3:00-4:00

4:00-5:00

5:00-onwards

Yes No N/A

10:00-11:00 3 8 11

11:00-12:00 3 8 11

12:00-1:00 3 8 11

1:00-2:00 3 8 11

2;00-3:00 3 8 11

3:00-4:00 3 8 11

4:00-5:00 3 8 11

5:00-onwards 3 8 11

31

Question no 92:Any other person is stamping the ballot paper instead of the voter

Districts 8:00am-11:00am

11:00am-2:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm

YES No NA YES No NA YES No NA

Peshawar 0 22 0 1 21 0 0 22 0

Mardan 23 1 0 23 1 0 23 1 0

Sawabi 7 6 5 7 6 5 7 6 5

The above table is categorized with three hours gaps indicating difference in one of the steps

included in the voting process. It has been indicated in the data that in the Mardan and Sawabi

District, the stamping of ballot paper procedure has not been followed according to rules, clearly

shows the mismanagement of the polling staff and the increase in trend of rigging.

SECTION 6.4 DISCRIMINATION BIASED ATTITUDE

Q 96: The polling staff is biased or discriminating voters of a specific candidate or political

party write the name of the political party:

Districts Yes No Not available

Peshawar 0 22 0

Mardan 0 24 0

Sawabi 4 10 4

This table has been constructed with the available data gathered from the election data which is

attached in the Annexure. The table clearly indicates biasedness and discrimination in the Sawabi

district than in the districts of Peshawar and Mardan due to influence of parties in the polling

station and in the area.

Question no 98: Any person is pressurizing the polling staff to support a specific

candidate/political party? Write name of the political party/candidate.

DISTR

ICT

8:00am-

9:00pm

9:00am-

12pm

12:00-

1:00pm

1:00pm-

2:00pm

2:00pm-

3:00pm

3:00pm-

4:00pm

4:00pm-

5:00pm

Peshaw

ar

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

0 2

2

0 0 1

7

0 5 1

5

2 7 1

5

- 7 1

5

0 7 1

0

5 5 1

2

5

Marda

n

1 2

3

0 1 2

3

0 1 2

3

0 1 2

3

0 1 2

3

0 1 2

3

0 1 2

3

0

Sawabi 1 1

3

4 1 1

3

4 1 1

3

4 1 1

3

4 1 1

3

4 1 1

3

4 1 1

3

4

32

The above table shows that in all the three districts, polling stations were under the influence of

one or more people who were forcing the polling staff to favor a particular party or candidate. It

is also shown from the district report that every polling station remained under pressure of

influential people during certain times of the day. The main parties, whose supporters were found

pressurizing the voters were PPP and ANP.

Question no 99: Any Person is mobilizing the voters to vote for a candidate/political party?

DISTR

ICT

8:00am-

9:00pm

9:00am-

12pm

12:00-

1:00pm

1:00pm-

2:00pm

2:00pm-

3:00pm

3:00pm-

4:00pm

4:00pm-

5:00pm

Peshaw

ar Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

Y N N

A

0 2

2

0 0 2

2

0 5 1

7

0 1

7

5 0 5 1

7

0 5 1

7

0 5 1

7

0

Mardan 7 1

7

0 7 1

7

0 7 1

7

0 7 1

7

0 6 1

8

0 6 1

8

0 5 1

9

0

Sawabi 3 1

1

4 3 1

1

4 3 1

1

4 3 1

1

4 3 1

1

4 3 1

1

4 3 1

1

4

As shown in the question 98 analysis, the voters and the polling staff were pressurized to vote for

a particular party. The supporters of JUI , PPP and ANP allegedly purchased votes in their party

or candidate’s favor.

SECTION 7: CLOSING OF POLLING BOOTH AND POLLING STATION:

7.2: The Process Of Counting Ballot Papers Of National Assembly And Provincial

Assembly:

Question no 107: People have been allowed to see the process of counting of ballot papers,

if yes then who was allowed to watch the counting process

☐Authorized Polling Agent☐ Observers holding Accreditation Cards☐ Any other unauthorized

Person

33

The graph depicted above displays the process of counting of ballot papers of the three districts.

The blue bar shows that only authorized people, polling staff, observers and polling agents were

allowed in the counting process. It is also shown that in Peshawar district, 5 observers did not get

permission into the counting process whereas this trend remained 1% in the districts of Mardan

and Sawabi.

Question no 108: The doors of polling station have been closed so that people inside cannot

go outside, and anyone from outside cannot enter inside.

17

20

12

5

1 10

3

5

Peshawar Mardan sawabi

Yes No NA

20

16

13

2

5

2

Peshawar Mardan Sawabi

Yes NO

34

The above graph displays the information of three districts i.e. Peshawar, Mardan and Sawabi.

Blue bar indicates the polling stations where doors were closed down right after the last voter

had polled the vote. The red bar shows the polling stations which failed to follow rules and some

observers were let before counting due to riot in the polling station.

Question no 113:Any person other than polling staff is touching the ballot papers or

counting it

☐Polling Agent ☐Security Staff ☐Other (write Name)

In the above graph, the darker portion represents “YES” to the question while the lighter portion

represents “NO”. It is concluded that in districts Sawabi and Mardan, the polling agents were

interfering more whereas in the Peshawar district, the polling staff was not allowing the polling

agents to touch the ballot papers even though in Government School Chamkani, the situation was

worse from the beginning of the day due to the polling agents of JUI party, who were creating

disturbance throughout polling process.

Peshawar, 3

Mardan, 20

Sawabi, 13

Peshawar, 19

Mardan, 4

Sawabi, 4

Peshawar

Mardan

Sawabi

0 5 10 15 20 25

35

Question no 131: Any person is pressurizing the polling staff to support a specific political

party/candidate. Write name of the political party.

If yes, who? ☐ Candidate/Party Leader/Worker/Supporter Government officer ☐Security

officer ☐Other

The above depicted graph clearly indicates the differences in 3 the districts as polling agents

were pressurizing the polling staff for their party, therefore the ratio of “YES” is less than the

“NO”.

Vertical axis shows the number of “YES” and “NO” in range of 20, combining both options.

7.4 Counting Forms For The National Assembly And Provincial Assembly:

Question no 140: The polling staff has given the Aware Girls observer a copy of the court

of statement form

0

5

10

15

20

Peshawar Mardan Sawbi

District

YES

NO

0

5

10

15

20

25

30


pe

rce

nta

ge

District

Chart Title

No

Yes

36

The above graph shows that the statement of count was received by 65% of Aware Girls

observers in Peshawar whereas this ratio remained 29% in Mardan and 32% in Sawabi district.

The dark portion in the bar shows reception of the count statement while the lighter portion in

bar shows non-reception of the statement of count.

7.5 Packing Of Election Material:

Question no 150: For any reason the Presiding Officer used the magisterial authorities

The above graph shows the use of power authorized to Presiding officer which was exercised

highly in Sawabi and lowest in Mardan. This was mainly caused by conflicts and violent attacks

on polling stations.

KEY-RECOMMENDATIONS

For the management of female voters, the charge should be given to female security staff

as they can easily manage female voters as in Pukhtoon culture, male security staff

cannot handle them as it restricts them from touching or shouting at them. Therefore,

female security staff should be assigned to female polling booths. As witnessed in this

recent election, no female security staff was given charge, therefore, at many polling

stations, the situations turned worst due to less interference of police as they were not

able to get them in line or push them outside. The provision of female security staff is

indispensible at events where females participation is more.


No 13 16 12

Yes 9 8 15

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Axi

s Ti

tle

Chart Title

37

The polling staff are the predominant key players of the electorate ground. If they are not

well-trained, the whole process fails to take the right direction. Therefore, the polling

staff should be trained properly in order to restore and maintain management on such a

red letter day.

Majority of polling staff complained of low payment, although they performed the pain-

staking duty for 2 to 3 days where they were even forced for the duty. A highly-paid

polling staff will ensure transparency as well as efficiency in the electorates to come.

Mobilization of the polling agents, party workers and supporters should be completely

banned within the polling station. Only the polling agent should be seated in polling

booth. The mobilization of such unauthorized bodies within the polling stations adversely

affects the polling process and are a threat to security, peace, transparency and

management of the polling process. The assigning of polling agents count in a polling

station should be limited because the political parties represent their polling agents who

violate rules in party’s benefit.

It is been observed that in the voters of rural and far-flung areas, the women are not duly

aware of their rights. They are totally unaware of their role and power in the

establishment of a democratic government in the country and what importance their vote

holds in the development of their country. Pre-electorate awareness programs should be

carried out across the country in order to make all these people realize the worth of their

vote and what role they can play in the establishment.

Majority of women in Pakistan do not realize the role of their vote and many of them do

not even recognize their right to vote. NADRA should initiate a project which aims at

CNIC processing of all those women who are above 18 years of age and do not possess a

CNIC, so that they are registered according to the place they belong to.

The polling and security staff should be strictly penalized if found guilty of

irresponsibility or involved in corruption during the election process. This penalty must

be incumbent upon each process member regardless of gender. Taking this measure

earnestly will pave way for more fair and free election process in times to come.

Fair and free Electorate is the hallmark of any democratic state. Democracy is marked by

its this most distinctive feature that every single person of the state has the right to cast

vote and play their role in the development of country through it, but sadly enough, the

38

women of our country are unaware of this right. Therefore, the importance of election

and participation of females in the electorate as a subject should be included in the course

outline from secondary education up to master level. This will be conducive to the

awareness of many young women who reach age 18. They will be aware of their right to

vote and participate actively. Many young women from age 18-22 years in rural areas do

not have CNIC and they remain deprived of vote casting. Likewise many young women

do not cast vote in the urban areas due to less knowledge of election and its importance in

the development of country.

Equal opportunity and the right to vote should be given to both men and women.

Educational and informative sessions should be held in the rural areas of the country with

both the genders in order to facilitate them with all possible information and provide them

with necessary assessment to convince them with the fact that there is no harm in female

participation to poll vote and their participation is also not a threat to their cultural norms

and conventions. Their minds should be anticipated with patriotism so that they can realize

and recognize their role and duty as a Pakistani citizen and how they can show their interest

in the making of their country through use of “Right To Vote”.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Training materials and sessions related to ballot counting, vote counting, and result

consolidation should be revised. The training manuals by the polling staff should be

expanded in order to accommodate the important measures like detailed, step- by-step

instructions.

The Presiding Officers and Returning Officers should be held accountable for any

deviations from procedures related to these important pre-requisites of Electoral training.

In addition to this, the Presiding Officers must be held accountable for the counting of the

ballots separately on gender bases and recording these accurately.

Presiding Officers must be taken in account for filling each part of Statement of Count

and Ballot Account Form correctly and they should be trained to follow this whole

procedure in order to avoid errors on the election day.

39

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS:

1. ANP Awami National Party

2. CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women

3. CNIC Computerized National Identity Card

4. ECP Election Commission of Pakistan

5. FAFEN Free And Fair Election Network

6. FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas

7. JI Jamaat-e-Islami

8. JUI-F Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl

9. KPK Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

10. LTO Long Term Observer

11. MQM Muttahida Quami Movement

12. NA National Assembly

13. NADRA National Database and Registration Authority

14. PEMRA Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority

15. PML-N Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz

16. PML-Q Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam

17. PPP Pakistan People’s Party

18. PrO Presiding Officer

19. PS Polling Station

20. PTI Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

21. RO Returning Officer ROPA

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