SUBJECT:- NGOS PARTICIPATION IN THE COMING GENERAL ELECTIONS.
Lahore the 13th September, 2007 The Federal Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad addressed a workshop today on 13-09-2007 in the office of the Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab, Lahore in which more than 11 representatives of high profiled of NGOs participated. In the opening remarks Mr. Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Federal Secretary emphasized that Election Commission of Pakistan is going to give Road Map for General Elections. The donors and others stake holders including UNDP have expressed keen interest to support Election Commission of Pakistan in conducting national elections in a transparent, fair and free environment. In this regard UNDP together with partners and donors are managing the support for National Elections in Pakistan Project which aims at improving electoral administration management systems and capacities, voters education about the electoral systems and voting procedure by engagement of stakeholders in strengthening the electoral process and ensuring effective coordination, management and facilitation of electoral support.
2. He said the Voter Education Campaign is going to start at least 2 months before the actual day of election. This campaign is divided into different categories to cater as much of the population of Pakistan as possible. Its different components are Print Media, Electronic Media and NGO participation.
3. These NGOs will be selected on the basis of their size in terms of coverage of any target area, their rapport in the area, their involvement in the Voter Registration Campaign and innovative ideas proposed by the NGOs. The most significant aspect in NGO selection is the evaluation conducted by SNEP project through visits and most importantly evaluation forms.
4. The NGOs will be given a time to submit a proposal of activities which cater needs of the audiences of their target area. These activities have to be planned in such a way that it caters to all the categories of Youth, Women, Minorities and General Public. The NGOs are required to submit details of these activities as well as with budget lines filled in the form attached.
5. Mr. David Avery, Chief Technical Advisor SNEP is rendering valuable service to strengthen the democratic process in Pakistan. Due to his sincere efforts, transparent ballot boxes and voting screens are being imported for use in the upcoming General Elections. Mr. Azhar Saeed Malik is equally doing well as National Project Manager, SNEP project.
6. The workshop was also attended by the following:-
i) Mr. R.B. Jan Wahidi,
Joint Secretary (Elections),
Election Commission of Pakistan,
Islamabad.
ii) Mr. Ayaz Muhammad Baig,
Provincial Election Commissioner,
Punjab, Lahore.
iii) Mr. Z.A. Farooqui,
Joint Provincial Election Commissioner,
Punjab, Lahore.
iv) Mr. Azhar Saeed,
Project Manager,
UNDP, Islamabad.
v) Mr. Khaliq-ur-Rehman,
Deputy Election Commissioner,
Punjab, Lahore.
vi) Mr. Blessed Chirimota,
SNEP.