ECP IS ALL SET FOR PUBLIC OUTREACH IN A PROACTIVE MANNER
Islamabad, the 13th March, 2010. - After detailed discussions and deliberations, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalized the draft of first ever five-year Strategic Plan in the Commission’s history of nearly 60 years. Under the guidance of present Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan Justice ® Hamid Ali Mirza, “The Election Commission of Pakistan has embarked upon a proactive and an interactive approach to initiate reforms in many areas (Constitutional, Legislative and Administrative etc.) and is opening up to all the stakeholders through establishment of Political Party Consultative Forum (PPCF) and the Civil Society Consultative Forum (CSCF) for creating formal consultative mechanisms”, as stated by the Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, Mr. Ishtiak Ahmad Khan.
According to the Secretary, in any democratic society, free, fair and transparent elections serve as a prerequisite where people find an opportunity to elect their representatives in an independent and a democratic fashion. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), being one of the most important Constitutional Institutions, has been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of conducting free, fair and transparent elections. In order to fulfill its Constitutional obligations up to the expectations of the nation, it is vital that the ECP should have regular consultations and dialogue with all the stakeholders.
In an unprecedented move, the ECP has decided to share its Strategic Plan 2010-2014, containing Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles of the ECP as well as fifteen (15) Strategic Goals and Objectives to be achieved, with the Election Support Group (ESG), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Political Parties and the media (both print and electronic) through separate meetings and discussions with them. The Strategic Plan determines a sense of direction and a roadmap for the ECP for the next five years. The process of consultation is to start in the last week of March, 2010 when first series of meetings will be held with the above fora. For this purpose, letters have been issued to the Chairpersons/ Presidents of the fora to nominate their senior representatives for the meeting.
Besides, as the Judicial Officers will not be available for election duties in future in light of the decision of National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the ECP will also consult the Political Parties and CSOs on proposal of creating a pool of officers of integrity belonging to the Federal and Provincial Governments for appointment as District Returning Officers/ Returning Officers/ Assistant Returning Officers for future elections.
“It is my firm belief and hope that these humble efforts will, InshaAllah, make the ECP a model institution capable of realizing the nation’s aspirations for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan a reality for all times to come”, added the Secretary.
