IFES CHIEF ASSURES TO CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT TO ECP

 Islamabad the 20th January, 2011.-   Mr. William R. Sweeney, President and Chief Executive of the International Foundation for electoral system (IFES) today visited Election Commission of Pakistan assuring its continuous support to strengthen ECP. The IFES President was received by Mr. Muhammad Imtiaz Alam, Acting Secretary and was briefed by Mr. Muhammad Afzal Khan, Spokesman of the ECP regarding the progress achieved in line with the targets and deadlines set in the five years Strategic Plan of the ECP. The IFES President is informed that ECP is determined to have error free computerized electoral rolls within next six months to start nation wide door to door verification and computerized data amalgamation with NADRA. The first step to achieve this major objective would require legislation. Last week Federal Cabinet has approved this legislation which is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly in the coming session scheduled to start from 24th January, 2011. The Spokesman explained that the Federal Government has assured Election Commission for its complete financial autonomy and early legislation for making CNIC mandatory for Registration of voter to pave way for achieving the goal of computerized credible electoral rolls within next six months. He also informed IFES President that currently Hon’ble CEC and Secretary, ECP are visiting India who would also get briefing about the introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) which has been introduced in India in the Indian electoral system during the last 22 years. The IFES President appreciated the cooperation between ECP and IFES and informed that the ECP five years strategic plan is inspiring other democracies in the world. The IFES President assured his resolve for continuous support to ECP enabling it to become one of the best electoral bodies in the world. The IFES President who was also accompanied by Ben Goldsmith, Country Director, Mr. Shabir Ahmed, Deputy Country Director and Col. (R) Ejaz Ahmed, Sr. Electoral Reform Officer (IFES). The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Jalil Ahmed, Deputy Secretary (Elections), Qazi Khurshid Ahmed, Deputy Secretary (Budget) and Noor Gulab, Deputy Secretary (Admn) of the ECP including IT personnel. The Acting Secretary thanked IFES President for his support to the Election Commission of Pakistan.