ISLAMABAD: Leader of the opposition in Senate Ghafoor Haideri has
emphasized the need for electoral reforms in order to hold free, fair
and transparent elections in 2003.
He expressed these views in
meeting with a UNDP delegation that is visiting Pakistan on Needs
Assessment Mission at the request of the Election Commission Of
Pakistan. The delegation will hold series of meetings with major
political parties to have their reflections an electoral reforms needed
in Pakistan for having free, fair and transparent elections.
Haideri
said that JUI is the only political party in Pakistan that holds party
elections every three years on every level to select their candidates.
We expect the same in the country. The Govt. should strive to hold
transparent, free and fair elections for true representatives of people
to come in Parliament. These elected people through this fair process
can deliver according to expectations of common people and would be
able to address the challenges facing the country. "Holding of
transparent, free and fair elections is the first step towards
continuity and strengthening of democratic process in the country and
it determines the right direction for the nation and country via
election of committed and true representatives of people" he added.
The
important electoral reforms outlined by Leader of Opposition include:
Establishment of totally independent free, fair and transparent
Election Commission, re-defining the limits of constituencies without
any influence from federals and influentials; oversight of money spent
for elections; computerization of voters lists; making NIC card and
voters photographs compulsory during polling in order to curb
fraudulent and bogus voting, and nearby location of polling stations
for the registered voters.
Moulana encouraged women voters to
cast their votes to stop misuse during polling. He explained the
delegation regarding various reasons of women voters not casting their
votes, such as non-registration, lack of awareness about vote casting
and location of polling stations in far flung areas. The UNDP
delegation stressed the need for effective role of Imams, family heads,
induction of more women in Election Commission training of women voters
and staff in order to increase women turnout and participation in next
elections.
At the end, the delegation thanked the leader of the
Opposition in the Senate for provision of positive suggestions for
electoral reforms for free, fair and transparent elections. Online
