FAFEN Asks For Further Review Of Draft Elections Bill, 2017
Umer Jamshaid Published January 17, 2017 | 09:55 PM
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2017 ) : The Draft Elections Bill, 2017, represented a step forward, but still required critical improvements to ensure free, fair and transparent general election in 2018, Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) stated here on Tuesday.
Appreciating the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms for circulating the draft bill for public feedback, the representatives of Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) led by Mudassir Rizvi said in a press briefing that the draft bill still needed further changes.
He said the bill did not completely address the structural issues that pertain to the independence, autonomy and authority of the Election Commission. "FAFEN calls on the Parliamentary Committee to consider a final set of recommendations before submitting the bill to Parliament for approval." The draft bill is the first unification of all election laws, which FAFEN has advocated since 2007.
The FAFEN members said the bill included significant proposed improvements that relate to protection of the authority of the Election Commission, promotion of women's political and electoral participation and establishment of permanent polling places.
It also included systematic handling of election-related complaints and election result petitions, establishment of the right of election observation, as well as providing for legal clarity over the issues such as caretaker governments, local government elections, and declarations and disclosures required by political parties, legislators and candidates.
While the bill adequately addresses some important weaknesses of the election system, it still needed some more changes, they added. They said perhaps most importantly, the proposed law did not go far enough in protecting the independence and authority of the Election Commission with regard to the promulgation of procedural rules to administer elections and disqualifying members who violate rules.
The Commission also was not given full control over Returning Officers. According to FAFEN, the draft bill included commendable provisions to promote and protect women's electoral and political participation, including the power of the Election Commission to require a re-poll in polling stations or Constituencies where women's voter turnout was less than 10% of the polled votes.
Mudassir Rizvi said the mandatory requirement for political parties to award 5% of tickets on general seats to women, however, was cosmetic and should be increased to 17% at least. The bill also required the Commission to take special measures to improve women's voter registration nationwide and in specific constituencies where women's under-registration was stark.
There was still an opportunity for the parliamentary committee to further improve the draft election bill, 2017, he added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Wembanyama in France: NBA Spurs to play Pacers in Paris in January
Russian missile kills two in Ukraine's Odesa: governor
Dutch Embassy celebrates King Willem-Alexander's birthday
Need of concrete steps stressed for safe, nutritious milk availability
Scotland's leader Yousaf quits after a year
Services of GDA Pakistan China Friendship Hospital launched
Mining giants Vale, BHP propose $25 bn settlement over Brazil dam collapse
Georgia ruling party stages mass rally to counter protests
Bayern ready for 'extraordinary' Bellingham, says Tuchel
PTI leaders get interim bail
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 2nd update
French actor Depardieu released after sexual assault questioning
More Stories From Pakistan
-
PRCS strengthens collaborative efforts with UN to Advance Humanitarian Mission
20 minutes ago -
Dutch Embassy celebrates King Willem-Alexander's birthday
54 minutes ago -
Need of concrete steps stressed for safe, nutritious milk availability
54 minutes ago -
Services of GDA Pakistan China Friendship Hospital launched
1 hour ago -
PTI leaders get interim bail
1 hour ago -
Book launching ceremony held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)
1 hour ago
-
Foreign travellers laud Pakistani police for extending help in Upper Kohistan landsliding
1 hour ago -
Committed to resolve issues through dialogue: Rana Ihsaan
1 hour ago -
AC seizes one pistol for no-verification of arms license
1 hour ago -
Justice Babar dismisses pleas seeking his recusal in audio leak case
1 hour ago -
Senators demand probe into social media propaganda on taxing solar consumers
1 hour ago -
Pakistan values Germany as significant global partner: ambassador
1 hour ago