Fair, Free, Transparent and a Very Strong Electoral System is Sign of Strong Unity and Sovereignty of Pakistan
--------Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan
2. Mr. Dilshad further said that the Election Commission of Pakistan is committed to employ best international practices and modern technologies with the consultative and technical support of international donor community and international NGOs for electoral administration and electoral framework in Pakistan. We are planning to develop a highly sophisticated Electoral Management System integrating the Computerized Electoral Rolls, finding the name of voters, list of Polling Stations as well as availability of Election Results for public access through Internet and cell phones. This will enhance the credibility and transparency of elections and Election Commission as well also to facilitate Political Parties, contesting candidates, election functionaries, CSOs/NGOs, media, analysts, national and international and observers.
3. He further said that in South Asian Countries including Pakistan we are moving forward towards road map of democracy wherein the role of media both print and electronic and in particular civil Society is of vital importance and because of these organizations the Electoral System is moving forwarded towards real democracy. A strong electoral system with active support and monitoring by Media, Civil Societies, National International Observers and long historic efforts by the Election Commission, Pakistan has been able to step in 1st world democracy. The Election Commission is proud for all the contribution and active support of International Donor Agencies, Civil Societies as well as Media which has certainly played a very important and vital role. Election Commission appreciates this historical contribution for achieving the said goals. The Election Commission of Pakistan will certainly give due weightage to these Civil Society Organizations as well as media in further as for strengthening Electoral Process in Pakistan.
4. Mr. Dilshad said that all over the world, the developing countries, the role of civil society organizations has been vital towards the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections; whether these elections are conducted in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe or South Africa. Specifically in Pakistan the role of civil society organizations has been instrumental in creating civic awareness of voters. It is only due to significant role of the civil society organizations, the democratic electoral processes Pakistan is also now being considered among the first class democracies of the world. No doubt, the Election Commission of Pakistan has been continuously cooperating and supporting the civil society organizations in this regard. The civil society organizations often participate in the electoral processes through domestic non-partisan election observation.
5. He said that democracy as a concept is quite attractive for and popular among most of the people around the world. Free and fair elections and good governance are two main components of democracy. To ensure that this basic requirement of free and fair elections is adequately met, all players involved in the election exercise have to play their role according to internationally accepted electoral norms and standards. Observers are watchful eyes of society who have the capacity and ability to judge fairness or otherwise of an election process. No election management body can afford to undermine their importance. For in the absence of independent and neutral observers and monitors election process, how fair and transparent it may be, always remains prone to many questions. The observers must remain neutral and objective while watching an election process. Dos and don’ts of election observation meet globally accepted standards, which must be followed by all those organizations and individuals who are involved in election monitoring. No doubt, the domestic observers have an edge over their international counterparts because they are natives, much more familiar with socio-political environment and cultural norms of the country.
6. He said that Election Observation is a fundamental component of an election process. It is a crucial transparency check that promotes accountability and can therefore deter irregularities. This in turn can reduce violence and encourage participation. Election observation also provides wiser information on a country’s human rights situation and promotes immediate and long term democratic development. International standards for elections stem from fundamental freedoms and political rights established by universal and regional legal treaties and political commitments. These provide indicators for the nature and quality of an electoral process, as well as a basis for assessment by both international and domestic election observers.