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Electoral Reforms in Pakistan Ahmed Bilal Mehboob

PILDAT: www.pildat.org

East-West Center

Deepening Democracy Through Media in Pakistan National Alumni Conference 2014

October 18, 2014

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v  Electoral Reforms – a popular demand, 85 %

v  Significant electoral reforms already in place

v  Reforms are an ongoing process

v  Reforms themselves would not guarantee good results; implementation and enforcement is important

v For the implementation of electoral reforms continuity of democratic order is of great importance. 2

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Some significant electoral reforms during Musharraf regime (1999-2009):

v Reduced voting age to 18 Y

v Increased number of seats in legislatures

v Increased Women’s Reserved Seats

v Introduced University Degree as a Candidate’s Qualification

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Key electoral reforms during PPPP Government (2008-2013):

v A full time Election Commission

v Bi-partisan appointment of CEC & Members

v Bi-partisan appointment of Caretaker Govts.

v CNIC must for vote registration & casting

v  Computerised Electoral Rolls

v Full-time, Dedicated Election Tribunals 4

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v Continuing low Public Trust in Electoral Process will Discredit Democracy

v Experiences of 2013 Election still Fresh v Consensus on Electoral Reforms becomes

difficult closer to next election

Why Electoral Reforms NOW?

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v  Qualifications of EC Members & CEC in the

constitution be amended; CEC & Members may not necessarily be from Judiciary

v Retired Judges Should Not Be Appointed in EC directly after Retirement

v  Biometric verification of voter before voting

v  Electronic Voting Machine

v Law to limit & Regulate Election Spending by Political Parties 6

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v ECP should strengthen system of

constituency monitors

v Law and Mechanism to Control outgoing Government’s Influence in Elections; (e.g Dev Funds, Advance Payment to TV Channels)

v ECP Should Exercise Control, Superintendence and Discipline on Election Staff seconded to it

v Independence of the Polling Staff be ensured 7

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•  Better Training of Returning Officers & Polling Staff

•  Training of Polling Agents

•  Increase the number of Polling Stations & make them Permanent

•  Post polling-station wise statement of count on ECP website as soon as received

•  Strict Compliance of Electoral Code of Conduct and giving it a legal cover 8

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v A Culture of Consultation & Dialogue

v Election Tribunals Should Decide Petitions within the 4- Months Period Prescribed in the Law; ECP Role?

v Appointment of Returning Officers other than from Judiciary

v The system of appointing caretaker governments should be reviewed

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v Mechanism be devised for Voting by

Overseas Pakistanis; Are we ready for massive postal balloting?

v Extend the period of scrutiny of candidates nomination papers

v Improve the enforceability of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution

v A constitutional cover for regular Local Govt Election

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v Proportional Representation System

v System to elect women on quota needs improvement

v Presidential Vs Parliamentary form of government

v  Run-off elections in constituencies

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v Parliamentary Committee on Electoral

Reforms should expeditiously complete its work by 21st October

v Resulting Legislative Agenda be implemented (i.e Laws made) by January 2015 latest

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Thank You!