The strategic planning process, recently initiated by the ECP, is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the ECP. The ECP considers the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) an important stakeholder and values their worthy input in order to strengthen the electoral process. For this purpose, the ECP has constituted a permanent forum namely Civil Society Consultative Forum (CSCF).

 

Mr. Ishtiak Ahmed Khan, the Secretary Election Commission, presented the Strategic Plan to the participants representing various Civil Society Organizations. The Secretary elaborated all the fifteen strategic goals set in the Strategic Plan. Moreover, he told the participants that the Strategic Plan has not been devised in isolation rather it takes into account the existing set-up and mechanisms and focuses on their improvement to provide better service delivery.

 

In addition to it, he emphasized that the very purpose of the meeting is to gather input from the CSOs and their valuable suggestion in which will reflect in the final Strategic Plan document.

 

 The delegates appreciated the efforts of ECP for not only preparing the first ever Strategic Plan but also showing openness in the consultation process. All the participants came up with their proposals and suggestions. It proved to be an interactive session in which all the strategic  goals came under discussion, inter-alia including the voter/civic education, training of polling personnel, election complaints and disputes resolution, inclusion of marginalized sections of society like women, minorities, persons with disabilities, in electoral process, outreach of the ECP to all the stakeholders, internal capacity building of the ECP’s officials/officers, enhancing organizational capacity and other administrative and legislative issues. 

 

The meeting was attended by the representative of 13 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs),namely,  Aurat Foundation (AF), Centre for Civic Education (CCE), Free and Fair Elections Network (FAFEN), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Interactive Resource Centre (IRC) Pakistan Institute of Legislature, Democracy and Transparency (PILDAT), South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-PK), Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), Village Friends Organization (VFO), Centre of Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), Intermedia, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Pattan Development Organization. 

 

In his concluding remarks, the Hon’ble CEC thanked all the participants for actively taking part in the discussion and providing the ECP with their important