Islamabad, the 11^th August, 2005.-  A six-member delegation of Commonwealth Observers comprising Mrs. Justice Anastasia Msosa, Chair Malawi Electoral Commission, Mr. Zulkefi bin Kamaruzzaman, former State Elections Officer Malaysia, Ms. Alison Sutherland, Local Government Association United Kingdom, Councilor A W M Arshad , Colombo City Council Srilanka and staff Ms. Jlie Broadbent & Ms. Adaora Ikenze visited Election Commission of Pakistan.

 

 

2.         Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Federal Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan welcomed the members of delegation and briefly told that Local Government Elections in Pakistan, which are going to be held on August 18, & August 25 in two phases throughout the country.  Kanwar Dilshad informed the observers that first elections to Local Government institutions under the present system were held in 2000-2001, as a result whereof district governments came into being for a term of four years.

 

 

3.         Kanwar Dilshad explained that developed Countries have always been torch-bearers of democracy and have been extending their fullest cooperation in the development of democratic culture in this part of the world.   He further said that Local Government Institutions act as nurseries for development of democracy and under the Devolution Plan, Local Government Elections are being held to strengthen democracy at grass-roots level.

 

 

4.         The Federal Secretary informed the participants that the brightest feature of this system is that women have been given representation in it and have been politically empowered for the first time in the political history of Pakistan as their representation has been raised to about 33% at grass-roots level.  Similarly, peasants/ workers and minority communities have been provided sizeable representation in all local government institutions.

 

 

5.         Kanwar Dilshad further said that Election Commission of Pakistan has always acted in accordance with law in providing proper environment for electors to elect their representatives freely and in accordance with their choice.  In the past foolproof arrangements were made to achieve this end and for forthcoming Local Government Elections every conceivable step is being taken to ensure that these elections are held impartially, justly, fairly and in accordance with law.

 

 

6.                     The delegation was also apprised of the security system by Mr. Tipu Muhabbat Khan, Joint Secretary (Security) from Ministry of Interior. Thereafter, Mr. Muhammad Saleem Akhtar, Joint Secretary in the Election Commission with his team gave detailed presentation about forthcoming Local Government Elections being held in two phases throughout the country.

 

 

7.         Mr. Naeem-ul-Haq, member NRB also briefed about the local government functions on district level, tehsil level, town level and also on union council level.

 

 

8.         Election Commission also showed documentary film about “ How to caste vote” and about the electoral process. The members of Commonwealth observers expressed their complete satisfaction on the work and function of Election Commission’s arrangement made for the Local Government Elections and praised the necessary steps taken by the Election Commission in accordance with law to conduct free, fair and impartial elections.