EU observers voice reservations about May 11 polls

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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While the observers have claimed that there was no interference from the establishment, they have finally spoken of discrepancies at the RO level, which no doubt influenced results in many constituencies. Its odd how it took them so long to voice their reservations, and why something like this was not mentioned when everyone else was complaining about it immediately after the polls will certainly raise eyebrows.
No complaint about secret agencies influence on poll process - thenews.com.pk

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EC) election observatory team has expressed its dissatisfaction over the general elections 2013 in Pakistan and said Election Commission did not fulfill its responsibility completely, Geo News reported.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the EU team chief Michael Gahler said the Returning Officers changed the polling staff at the eleventh hour, and the ECP had no record of it.

He said the EU team remained in Pakistan from March 3 to June 4 and have freely prepared a comprehensive report on election process.

Michael Gahler said the ECP did not fulfill its responsibilities completely and that all the candidates were not given equal right to contest elections. He said nomination papers of some candidates were rejected from one constituency, while on the other these were accepted.

Process of preparing results was very slow, he said and added that allegations of rigging started from the day one of elections.

The EU team leader suggested that the ECP should take all the responsibility of election process on its own shoulders.

Michael Gahler said they had not received any complaint regarding influence of intelligence agencies on the elections process.

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Re: EU observers voice reservations about May 11 polls

On a related note, scrutiny cell of ECP has been abolished for the upcoming by-elections. Now that many of the big defaulters and thieves are already in courtesy of the general elections, it makes little sense for them to scrutinize the small lot of thugs that may be gearing for election in the by-elections.

Scrutiny cell abolished in ECP - thenews.com.pk

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has eliminated its scrutiny cell, Geo News reported.

Sources said the ECP has decided to end the scrutiny process of candidates through NADRA, NAB, State Bank of Pakistan and others in the by-elections, therefore, abolished the cell responsible for this process.

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Re: EU observers voice reservations about May 11 polls

jo char anny bachay thai fakhru bhai ki ijat kay woh bhee gaye tail lainy

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Re: EU observers voice reservations about May 11 polls

*Bohat deir ki meharbaaN aatey aatey… :frowning:
*
A caretaker CEC was sworn in today, Fakhru bhai ko kya huwa? :bummer:

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Re: EU observers voice reservations about May 11 polls

LOL some people…

Elections better organised than in 2008: EU - DAWN.COM

Chief Observer European Union Michael Gahler speaks at a press conference. -Photo by INP
Published 2013-07-11 06:43:17
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ISLAMABAD: The European Union Observer Mission ruled out on Wednesday suspicion about rigging in the elections and involvement of intelligence agencies in the process. It described this year’s elections as better organised than the 2008 polls.

The mission’s chief, Michael Gahler, released its final report on the May 11 elections at a news conference and said the EU observers had monitored 184 constituencies of the National Assembly. It made 50 recommendations for electoral reforms. He said some institutions had crossed limits in discharge of their duty and the PML-N had been given more coverage than other parties during the election campaign.

“Now is the time for the new parliament, the Election Commission and other stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to democratic Pakistan. Legislation can be further improved and every by-election and local government election offers an opportunity for implementing improved practices,” Mr Gahler said.

Seven of the 50 recommendations relate to constitutional changes and 17 to primary legislation. The report suggests formation of a special parliamentary committee on elections to review related legislation within the framework of international law commitments such as candidacy criteria, transparency requirements and mechanisms for an effective remedy.

The Election Commission (ECP) should take full responsibility for the administration of elections, including through management control of the work of returning officers, and fully implement its five-year strategic plan using the opportunity of any upcoming by-election and local bodies election to implement improved practices, the team stressed.

The ECP should develop a clear regulatory framework covering all aspects of election, including management, observation and scrutiny, and addressing complaints. It should review and develop procedures to increase checks on the polling and results process and improve the quality of completed result forms.

The report wants the ECP to introduce strong transparency measures and make all notifications, decisions and election-related information public. The polling results should be immediately placed on the ECP website.

It recommends that the legal framework for the media be revised so that it could fully support editorial independence and eliminate opportunities for censorship. The code of conduct for the media should be enforced so that equitable opportunities are given to candidates and parties by the state and private media.

The report calls for further measures to promote the participation of women in the electoral process such as provision of computerised national identity cards, requirement for the parties to make public their policies on women and information about their participation in intra-party elections and their greater coverage in the state media. Action should be taken against agreements barring women from casting their votes.

The report calls for abolition of the separate list for Ahmadi voters.