ISLAMABAD - Michael Gahler, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Pakistan on Friday welcomed establishment of a parliamentary committee to probe allegations of rigging in July 25 general elections.
Gahler – a member of the European Parliament from Germany – also emphasised the need for constituting a new parliamentary committee for additional electoral reforms, during a press conference he addressed to release final report of the election observation mission here in Islamabad.
“Following the elections of 2018, various stakeholders informed the EU EOM of the need to revisit the Elections Act and to engage a new parliamentary committee for additional electoral reforms. We encourage such action to ensure further progress,” said the EU EOM’s chief observer.
The 91 pages report prepared by the EOM contains 30 recommendations to further improve the elections related law in the light of findings of the mission it observed during the general elections 2018 held on July 25.
“Our final report brings together the findings and analysis of our observations over the period the mission was in Pakistan, as well as comprehensive recommendations for future elections,” Gahler told the press conference.
He said that the recommendations in the report are addressed to the relevant institutions–the Election Commission of Pakistan, the government, the National Assembly, political parties, civil society and other key stakeholders.
The report notes the inclusive and consultative reform process undertaken after the 2013 elections, resulted in the partial or complete implementation of 38 of the 50 recommendations made by the EU EOM in 2013.
However, Gahler noted that key concerns remain, including a lack of oversight of political party campaign finance; vague and subjective candidacy registration criteria; incomplete access for observers to all stages of the electoral process; the absence of a unified electoral roll; and limitations on media and freedom of expression.
On the work of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the EU EOM concludes that, while the technical aspects of the elections were largely well administered, the ECP failed to provide timely information to voters and stakeholders on its decisions, procedures and other information of public interest.
The report also highlighted inadequate voter education, flawed postal voting, and a lack of transparency in the delimitation of constituencies and the transmission of results.
Other important issues mentioned in the report include the undue restrictions on freedom of expression which led to considerable media self-censorship; constraints on freedom of assembly; the presence of the armed forces inside polling stations; and the underrepresentation of women as voters and assembly members.
The report makes 30 recommendations for consideration, but suggests priority attention be given to the following eight:
Review the Constitution and Elections Act so that any restrictions imposed on the right to stand as a candidate are not subject to vague, moral and arbitrary criteria.
Revise the Elections Act, Election Rules and Codes of Conduct to ensure robust mechanisms for transparency of the ECP. These would include specific timeframes for, and the manner of, dissemination of information of public interest, including online.
To contribute to public confidence in the ECP, the Commission should introduce a range of measures to increase transparency, such as the holding of regular meetings with election stakeholders.
Guarantee civilian ownership of the conduct of elections by limiting the presence of security forces to outside polling stations only.
Review the legal framework for media, including for online content, to ensure compliance with international standards for freedom of expression.
Introduce affirmative measures to foster the representation of women contesting general seats.
Adopt a unified electoral roll by removing the requirement for any supplementary list of voters, so that all citizens can be registered to vote on an equal basis in accordance with international standards.
Establish in law the right to national and international observation, ensuring full access for observers, including media, to all stages of the electoral process.
Earlier, The European Union recognised the continuity of the democratic process in Pakistan.
EU EOM chief Michael Gahler met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here to discuss the polls held in Pakistan in July.
“The two sides discussed successful conclusion of general elections and peaceful transfer of power to democratically elected government for a third consecutive time,” a statement released by the foreign ministry said.
General elections were held in Pakistan on July 25, after the completion of a five-year term by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)-led government. These were the third consecutive general elections after a long military rule.
As a result of the elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf became the single largest party at the national level both in terms of popular vote and seats.
At the provincial level, the PTI became the largest party in Punjab and remained the largest party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan People’s Party remained the largest party in Sindh and the Balochistan Awami Party became the largest party in Balochistan.
The opposition parties led by the PML-N and the PPP alleged that large scale rigging took place to ensure PTI’s victory.
Michael Gahler recognised continuity of the democratic process which was essential for creating an enabling environment for peace, stability and development in the country. He also handed over a copy of the final report of EU-EOM on general elections 2018.
Gahler is on a follow-up visit to Pakistan for presentation of the final report of the EU Election Observation Mission on general elections 2018.
Qureshi highlighted that Pakistan had been welcoming international election observers since 2002 and EU Observers were deployed across the country in general elections of 2002, 2008, 2013 and 2018. He appreciated Gahler’s long standing association with EU’s election observation in Pakistan.
AFP adds: “Comprehensive analysis of the media’s output, however, reveals that editorial policies were carefully calibrated to downplay issues relating to the state security structures and the judiciary,” said EU election observers’ final report on the July polls.
The monitors also said that during the campaign season senior editors received “intimidating phone calls”, while also noting curbs on the distribution of “broadcast and print outlets, and harassment of individual journalists”.
“In such an environment, severe self-censorship was the safest option to continue publication”, the report said.
The EU report also noted constraints on freedom of assembly during the period along with the presence of armed forces inside polling stations.
The report called for increased transparency in electoral processes and a review of election rules. But the monitors downplayed opposition allegations of election-day malfeasance, saying that a days-long delay in the delivery of official results was caused by technical failures.