Electoral Reforms in Pakistan

Transcription

1 Electoral Reforms in Pakistan Ahmed Bilal Mehboob PILDAT: East-West Center Deepening Democracy Through Media in Pakistan National Alumni Conference 2014 October 18,

2 Context Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency 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

3 Context Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency Some significant electoral reforms during Musharraf regime ( ): 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 3

4 Context Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency Key electoral reforms during PPPP Government ( ): 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

5 Why Electoral Reforms NOW? Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency 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 5

6 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

7 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

8 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

9 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 9

10 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 10

11 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 11

12 v Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms should expeditiously complete its work by 21 st October v Resulting Legislative Agenda be implemented (i.e Laws made) by January 2015 latest 12

13 Thank You! 13