NDI - Pakistan

Pakistan’s Turbulent Elections Present an Opportunity

dleonard — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:15:10 +0000

Source:

German Marshall Fund

Article Link:

Published Date:

05/15/2013

Daniel Twining, a senior fellow for Asia with the German Marshall Fund of the United States who recently participated in an NDI delegation to observe Pakistan’s May 11 elections, noted that from his perspective on the ground, Pakistan appeared to be “a country whose people desperately want good governance and economic opportunity, and believe their democratic choice may help deliver it.”

But Twining also describes “another Pakistan,” where despite the historic voter turnout and peaceful transition of democratic leadership, nearly 150 people were killed in election-related violence over the last month. Incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif now faces “enormous expectations” dealing with issues like the economy, corruption and the Taliban.

"Sharif has pledged to focus on expanding reliable energy supply and economic reforms to catalyze growth and job creation. Although Pakistani democracy received a fillip from Saturday’s vote, the authoritarian temptation will return if this government cannot put the country on a sustainable economic trajectory. That will require a prime minister who not only can leverage his private-sector background to press for real reforms, but also roll back the corruption and misgovernance that have condemned Pakistan to lackluster economic growth."

Pakistan's Hopeful Election

dleonard — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:30:58 +0000

Source:

The New York Times

Article Link:

Published Date:

05/14/2013

Despite violence leading up to Pakistan’s parliamentary election last weekend, about 60 percent of voters showed up to the polls and the country has achieved a peaceful transition of power in a place “where coups have predominated.”

Though there are charges of vote-rigging to be investigated, most of the country seems ready to accept the partial poll returns that suggest former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his party will dominate the next Parliament. Mr. Sharif and the country face a number of challenges, such as a faltering economy, making peace with India and improving relations with the U.S.

“Ultimately, the success of democracies and the politicians they produce depend on good governance. It is up to Mr. Sharif to prove that strong civilian leadership can turn things around in Pakistan.”

Pakistani Elections Are Victory for Democracy As Millions Cast Ballots Despite Threats of Violence

dleonard — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:03:11 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute, Asian Network for Free Elections

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

05/13/2013

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

ISLAMABAD –Showing courage and resolve in the face of deadly challenges, Pakistanis went to the polls May 11 to elect a new government that will be a critical step in the country’s return to democracy, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said today.

“Millions of Pakistanis expressed their support for the democratic process by voting despite extremist attempts to disrupt the polls,” the groups said in a statement. Casting their ballots in the face of mounting violence “was a victory for democracy and the people of Pakistan. The stage has been set for the country’s first transfer of power from one democratically elected government to the next.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2013

For more information, contact:
Kathy Gest, kgest@ndi.org, +92 (0) 307 555 2171

PAKISTANI ELECTIONS ARE VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACYAS MILLIONS CAST BALLOTS DESPITE THREATS OF VIOLENCE

NDI and ANFREL fielded an international election observation mission with 48 observers from 18 countries. They deployed to 12 locations in three of the country’s four provinces and Islamabad, visiting more than 250 polling locations. For areas where security concerns prevented direct observation – Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) – the mission was in frequent contact with candidates, parties and nongovernmental organizations in those regions to collect information.

Leading the mission were Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway; former member of the U.S. House of Representatives Russ Carnahan, D-Mo.; Nora Owen, former minister of justice of Ireland; Amina Rasul-Bernardo, former cabinet minister of the Philippines; Shari Bryan, NDI vice president; and Peter Manikas, NDI regional director for Asia. Others in the delegation were former parliamentarians, election specialists, congressional staff, political party leaders, representatives of nongovernmental organizations and regional specialists.

Their report commented on the elections’ central paradox. “While there were many improvements in the electoral process,” the delegation said, “the May elections were perhaps the nation’s most violent,” resulting in an unlevel playing field for certain political parties in several areas of the country.

The delegation reported much enthusiasm among voters on election day, with many saying the polls would lead to a better future. But the observers also pointed out a number of administrative problems that could impact the integrity of future polls if left unchecked.

On the positive side, the delegation cited many improvements in the electoral process, such as: more parties and candidates competed than in the last polls in 2008; there were more than twice as many women running for general seats in the National Assembly, though their numbers remained very low; parties that boycotted the 2008 elections reentered the political process; parties cooperated as never before on the creation of an improved electoral system; the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) enjoyed a high level of public confidence and constructed the most complete and accurate voter list in the nation’s history; and print and electronic media reported extensively on the campaign and issues of concern to voters.

All of this came in the face of the mounting violence and threats of violence that sharply undermined the ability of candidates and political parties in certain areas of the country to freely engage with voters. “The violence and threats discouraged citizens from freely attending campaign events and more broadly participating in the elections as candidates, campaign staff, election administrators, observers, and simply as voters,” the delegation said.

The NDI-ANFREL observers also identified administrative problems in the conduct of the polls, including long lines and overcrowding at some women’s polling stations because of inadequate facilities to accommodate the large number of voters, problems at some polling stations when voters could not find their names on the rolls and relied on polling agents to help them, and, at some polling stations, the viewing of polling agents as an extension of the polling staff, allowing them to perform duties that were the responsibility of election officials.

“While these problems did not seriously impair the integrity of the election, they could be damaging in future polls if allowed to persist,” the delegation said.

The report contained a number of recommendations intended to promote transparency and strengthen democratic institutions and practices in Pakistan. They included:

Political parties should stand together to address the issue of electoral violence, and the ECP and law enforcement bodies should develop electoral security plans in a more timely manner.
Guidelines on the responsibilities of party polling agents should be publicized by election authorities as early as possible in the pre-election period.
Further reforms are needed to enable fair and transparent electoral processes in FATA.
Election authorities and lawmakers should renew efforts to advance electoral reforms.
The ECP should work with lawmakers to improve election dispute resolution.
Training for election personnel should be improved to address polling day procedures.
Election procedures should incorporate measures to increase ballot security.
The ECP should publicly release polling station level results as soon as possible after elections.
Efforts should continue to improve the electoral rolls.
Election-day procedures should support greater participation of the disabled.
The ECP should review complaints, reports, and evidence of incidents where women were barred from voting.
The ECP, political parties, civil society groups, and the media should continue efforts to increase electoral participation of women.
Voter education programs should streamline the use of various media and incorporate tailored approaches to communicate with young voters, particularly young women.
Election authorities and political parties should implement additional measures, such as tailored voter education and outreach campaigns, to promote the electoral participation of minorities and marginalized groups.

The delegation drew on the findings of an NDI pre-election mission that visited Pakistan in December to assess the political environment and election preparations.

The mission conducted its activities in a nonpartisan, professional manner in accordance with Pakistani law and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and support democracy worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. The Institute has been observing elections in Pakistan since 1988 and conducts ongoing programs in the country to strengthen political parties and increase political participation among women and youth. For more information about NDI, please visit www.ndi.org.

ANFREL is a network of 21 citizen election observation organizations from 15 countries across Asia. Since 1997, it has worked to advance electoral democracy in Asia through election observation, civil society development, and election-related advocacy and campaign work. ANFREL observed Pakistan's general elections in 2002. For more information about ANFREL, please visit www.anfrel.org.

###

English

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Pakistani Elections Are Victory for Democracy As Millions Cast Ballots Despite Threats of Violence

dleonard — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:05:47 +0000

Showing courage and resolve in the face of deadly challenges, Pakistanis went to the polls May 11 to elect a new government that will be a critical step in the country’s return to democracy, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said today.

“While these problems did not seriously impair the integrity of the election, they could be damaging in future polls if allowed to persist,” the delegation said.

The report contained a number of recommendations intended to promote transparency and strengthen democratic institutions and practices in Pakistan. They included:

Political parties should stand together to address the issue of electoral violence, and the ECP and law enforcement bodies should develop electoral security plans in a more timely manner.
Guidelines on the responsibilities of party polling agents should be publicized by election authorities as early as possible in the pre-election period.
Further reforms are needed to enable fair and transparent electoral processes in FATA.
Election authorities and lawmakers should renew efforts to advance electoral reforms.
The ECP should work with lawmakers to improve election dispute resolution.
Training for election personnel should be improved to address polling day procedures.
Election procedures should incorporate measures to increase ballot security.
The ECP should publicly release polling station level results as soon as possible after elections.
Efforts should continue to improve the electoral rolls.
Election-day procedures should support greater participation of the disabled.
The ECP should review complaints, reports, and evidence of incidents where women were barred from voting.
The ECP, political parties, civil society groups, and the media should continue efforts to increase electoral participation of women.
Voter education programs should streamline the use of various media and incorporate tailored approaches to communicate with young voters, particularly young women.
Election authorities and political parties should implement additional measures, such as tailored voter education and outreach campaigns, to promote the electoral participation of minorities and marginalized groups.

From left to right: Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives Russ Carnahan, D-Mo.; Amina Rasul-Bernardo, former cabinet minister of the Philippines; Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway; Nora Owen, former minister of justice of Ireland; Shari Bryan, NDI vice president; and Peter Manikas, NDI regional director for Asia. Photo by Shazia Abbasi.

The delegation drew on the findings of an NDI pre-election mission that visited Pakistan in December to assess the political environment and election preparations.

The mission conducted its activities in a nonpartisan, professional manner in accordance with Pakistani law and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

NDI has been observing elections in Pakistan since 1988 and conducts ongoing programs in the country to strengthen political parties and increase political participation among women and youth.

Read more:

Published May 13, 2013

Preliminary Statement of the National Democratic Institute-Asian Network for Free Elections International Election Observation Mission to Pakistan

dleonard — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:47:13 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute, Asian Network for Free Elections

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

05/13/2013

Resource Type:

Statement

Language:

English

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A Guide to the Pakistani Taliban’s ‘reign of terror’ ahead of elections

dleonard — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:18:46 +0000

Source:

Foreign Policy

Article Link:

Published Date:

05/09/2013

Ahead of Pakistan’s May 11 polls, unrelenting violence has delayed elections in several districts and resulted in over 100 casualties. Terrorists continue targeting politicians and candidates, also indiscriminately killing civilians and supporters.

"‘It is pretty clear that this is the most violent election I have witnessed in 23 years’ of election monitoring in Pakistan, Peter Manikas of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs told the Washington Post. ‘It's a different type of violence in trying to disrupt the election as a whole. It makes everything unsafe.’"

Pakistan Vote to Test Army's Willingness to Cede Power | May 8, 2013

dleonard — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:36:28 +0000

The Wall Street Journal | Link to story»

The outcome of Saturday's Pakistani elections won't just determine the next civilian government: It will also test the idea that the country's powerful military has pulled back from manipulating politics and accepted democracy.

This lack of visible meddling by the military in Saturday's election doesn't mean it isn't occurring, cautioned Peter Manikas, director for Asia programs at the National Democratic Institute, which is fielding observers for Saturday's vote.

"We have no evidence that the military is interfering in elections," said Mr. Manikas, who has observed Pakistani elections since 1990. "But I can't say for sure. It was doing some things in the earlier elections that were not apparent to us—so there is always a possibility."

Link to story »

Pakistan election violence targets both secular, Islamist politicians | May 7, 2013

dleonard — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:28:16 +0000

The Washington Post | Link to story»

Bomb blasts tore through two campaign events in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 18 people, authorities said, as attacks ahead of Saturday’s national election continued against liberal politicians as well as a pro-Taliban Islamist party.

“It’s obviously a new tactic,” said Peter Manikas, director of Asia programs for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, which has sent 44 poll watchers here. “It’s a different type of violence in trying to disrupt the election as a whole. It makes everything unsafe.”

Link to story»

ECP to Ensure Transparent and Credible Elections | Dec. 21, 2012

fstovall — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:52:24 +0000

Business Recorder | Link to story »

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will provide level playing ground to all the political parties and contesting candidates to ensure fair, transparent and credible elections, Secretary ECP Ishtiak Ahmad Khan said.

Talking to an eight-member delegation of NDI (National Democratic Institute) led by former Prime Minister of Canada Joe Clark, he said that Code of Conduct (CoD) for the candidates has already been finalized and sent to the political parties for feedback.

Link to story »

NDI Delegation Finds Both Cautious Optimism and Serious Challenges for 2013 Pakistan Elections

fstovall — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:03:06 +0000

Noting the importance of Pakistan’s 2013 elections to the direction the country will take in the years ahead, an assessment mission by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) found cautious optimism among Pakistanis that progress toward democratic governance will continue. But the delegation also cited serious challenges that, if unaddressed, “could derail the reform momentum and impact the integrity of the elections.”

Xenia Dormandy conducts an interview at the press conference. Photo by Sandra Houston, NDI resident director.

Noting the importance of Pakistan’s 2013 elections to the direction the country will take in the years ahead, an NDI assessment mission found cautious optimism among Pakistanis that progress toward democratic governance will continue. But the delegation also cited serious challenges that, if unaddressed, “could derail the reform momentum and impact the integrity of the elections.”

The NDI mission visited Pakistan from Dec. 16 to 21 and reviewed the political environment and framework for elections for the national and provincial assemblies, which are expected to take place between March and May of next year. The group met with election authorities and government officials, political party leaders, media representatives, civil society and citizen monitoring groups, and international organizations. It released a report on its findings at a news conference in Islamabad.

Members of the delegation were the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, former prime minister of Canada; Xenia Dormandy, senior fellow at Chatham House and former director for South Asia at the U.S. National Security Council; Siti Nursanita Nasution, former member of the Indonesian House of Representatives; and Peter Manikas, NDI director of Asia programs.

“The 2013 elections present an opportunity for Pakistan to continue its reform momentum and advance its democratic transition,” the delegation said, pointing out that the polls could mark the first time in Pakistan’s history that an elected civilian government transferred power through a democratic process.

Positive developments cited by the delegation included the adoption of constitutional amendments that have strengthened the institutional role of parliament and increased the independence and transparency of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and “rarely seen” cooperation among political parties on the adoption of electoral rules and measures to bring the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into the mainstream of political life.

“As one political activist told this delegation, ‘this is the first time there is hope about an election in Pakistan,’” the report said.

But the delegation also cited a number of serious challenges, including increasing political violence that threatens to prevent some political parties from openly campaigning in parts of the country; the low level of participation by women who are “considerably underrepresented on the national electoral rolls”; questions about the impartiality of local ECP staff; potential problems with the voters’ list; and lengthy delays in resolving electoral disputes that raise concerns about the fairness of the elections.

“It is imperative that the new government has the legitimacy that comes from being elected through a credible election process,” the mission said.

The delegation also mentioned the nation’s “unprecedented youth bulge.” Nearly half of the 85 million registered voters to date are under 35 and a significant percentage will be voting for the first time. “This youthful cohort presents a challenge to government, political parties and civil society because the continuation of democratic development will depend, in large part, on their inclusion in the political process,” the delegation said.

At the conclusion of its report, the delegation offered a number of recommendations. They included:

Carrying out robust voter education in multiple languages using various media;
Greater accessibility to the voters list;
Publicizing security plans and training members of the armed forces on their roles and responsibilities in the electoral process;
Protecting the right of women to vote;
Measures to ensure election monitoring;
Enforcement of electoral regulations and codes of conduct;
Review of the regulations concerning transport of voters to the polls;
Using social media to broaden voter engagement;
Measures to improve the timing and transparency of the electoral complaints process;
Monitoring adherence to codes of conduct;
Adjusting locations and improving accessibility to polling stations;
Improving civic awareness through the airing of public service issues and voter education on radio stations in local languages; and
Support for timely legislative action to address electoral reforms.

Read more:

Published Dec. 21, 2012

Statement of the NDI Pre-Election Delegation to Pakistan

fstovall — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:31:10 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/21/2012

Resource Type:

Assessment

Language:

English

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NDI Delegation Finds Both Cautious Optimism and Serious Challenges for 2013 Pakistani Elections

fstovall — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:51:34 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/21/2012

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2012

Contact: Sandra Houston, shouston@ndi.org, +92 300-551-3520, Islamabad

Kathy Gest, kgest@ndi.org, 202-728-5535, Washington

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Noting the importance of Pakistan’s 2013 elections to the direction the country will take in the years ahead, an assessment mission by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) found cautious optimism among Pakistanis that progress toward democratic governance will continue. But the delegation also cited serious challenges that, if unaddressed, “could derail the reform momentum and impact the integrity of the elections.”

“As one political activist told this delegation, ‘this is the first time there is hope about an election in Pakistan,’” the report said.

“It is imperative that the new government has the legitimacy that comes from being elected through a credible election process,” the mission said.

At the conclusion of its report, the delegation offered a number of recommendations. They included:

Carrying out robust voter education in multiple languages using various media;
Greater accessibility to the voters list;
Publicizing security plans and training members of the armed forces on their roles and responsibilities in the electoral process;
Protecting the right of women to vote;
Measures to ensure election monitoring;
Enforcement of electoral regulations and codes of conduct;
Review of the regulations concerning transport of voters to the polls;
Using social media to broaden voter engagement;
Measures to improve the timing and transparency of the electoral complaints process;
Monitoring adherence to codes of conduct;
Adjusting locations and improving accessibility to polling stations;
Improving civic awareness through the airing of public service issues and voter education on radio stations in local languages; and
Support for timely legislative action to address electoral reforms.

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan nongovernmental organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. More information is available at www.ndi.org.

###

English

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Upcoming General Election: Senate Body on Election Issues Briefs NDI Delegation | Dec. 19, 2012

fstovall — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:20:21 +0000

Business Recorder | Link to story »

The Senate's Special Committee on Election Issues on Tuesday briefed a visiting delegation of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) on the upcoming general polls. The six-member NDI delegation led by Peter M. Manikas, senior associate and regional director for Asia programmes, is currently visiting Pakistan to launch their report on Friday--based on findings about the pre-election scenario.

The meeting, chaired by Convenor of the committee Senator Jahangir Badar, was also attended by its members including leader of the opposition in Senate Senator Ishaq Dar. The head of the delegation, in his observation, said that it was positive development that all the political parties of the country were making arrangements with consensus for holding free, fair and transparent elections.

Link to story »

Statement of International Delegation to Pakistan's 1988 National and Provincial Elections

fstovall — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:13:52 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

11/20/1988

Resource Type:

Statement

Language:

English

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NDI Pre-Election Survey Report Before Pakistan's 1993 National and Provincial Elections

fstovall — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:49:59 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

09/17/1993

Resource Type:

Survey Report

Language:

English

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