MEANINGFUL AND POSITIVE COLLABORATION OF NGOS WITH ELECTION COMMISSION IS ESSENTIAL FOR ENSURING TRANCPARANCY IN ELECTIONS
-----SECRETARY ELECTION COMMISSION
Islamabad, the 30th September, 2005.- Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary Election Commission has said that NGOs and Civil Organizations play key role in helping Election Commission to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process. He was presiding over 1st meeting of Advisory Board setup by the Election Commission to oversee the implementation of the NGOs, component of UNDP Sponsored Project.
Mr. Dilshad said that elections to about 6000 Union Councils have successfully been completed. It is heartening to note that about 24000 women have also been elected to the Union Councils. He said that NGOs can play effective role in creating awareness and educating the electorate. Civil society Organizations acted as watchdog in elections held in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Mongolia. For NGOs with positive national agenda, which is in line with socio cultural traditions of the country, we visualize similar role.
Secretary Election Commission further said that reports and feedback about recently held Local Government Elections received from International and local observers groups, are being analysed and appropriate decisions on their observations and suggestions will be taken in due course in accordance with law.
The meeting of the Advisory Board was attended by the representatives from UNDP, Ministry of Economics Affairs, Election Commission of Pakistan and “Strengthening Electoral Process in Pakistan” Project.