MARATHON MODALITIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO BRING REFORMS IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN.
Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad
Lahore, the 14th July, 2008.- International Standards will be adopted to bring real democracy in the electoral systems of Pakistan. This said, Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, while inaugurating a three days workshop of a group of 60 participants, comprising, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Provincial Election Commissioners, Deputy Election Commissioners and Assistant Election Commissioners from all over the country, constituted on the direction of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan to formulate recommendations to bring changes in the electoral system of Pakistan. He said that 9 working groups have been constituted to consider the electoral reforms, to make the electoral practice in Pakistan according to the International Standards, to achieve objectivity and quality elections to transform the country in real democratic society. He said marathon modalities will be deliberated by working groups in these three days to formulate recommendations on each aspect of elections, legal reforms, procedural reforms, structural reforms and issues connected with procedures, printing, logistic, transportation, training, Information Technology and human resources etc.
2- Secretary Election Commission further said, that electoral systems and procedures, world over under-go changes from time to time and the democratic nations have always their own priorities to adopt political and electoral systems which are most suitable to them in view of their socio-political as well as geo-strategical environments. But there are certain international standards which determine soundness and credibility of a political or an electoral system. All civilized nations, of course, always try to adhere to these minimum internationally recognized good electoral practices. In February General Elections our will to bring positive and qualitative changes in election process was strongly demonstrated through our election operations and management commands, which won National and International appreciation and acclamation at large.
3- He also said that formation of electoral reforms committee in post election scenario by Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan is reflective of our serious desire to bring legal operational and organizational improvements in election procedures etc, our objective is to achieve and maintain international standards of good electoral practices and norms. He said, the Election Commissioner desires to achieve this target with as much consensus among stake-holders to its maximum possibility. He said, that the Chief Election Commissioner by constituting legal reforms committee and working groups, has desired to exploit the practical experience of the officers of the ECP and to transform it to formulate recommendations to bring revolutionary changes, keeping in view the ground realities, socio-economic conditions of the country and to introduce internationally accepted good electoral practices.