Lahore: The Citizen Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) convened by PILDAT held its 31st meeting at Lahore.

With Just five days to go before 11th May, 2013, the Group reviewed factors and conditions which are shaping the electoral process across the country in different sectors. These sectors include the process of scrutiny of nomination forms filed by candidates; the disqualification for life of former President Pervez Musharraf; the ongoing wave of violence and terrorism; the performance of the Caretaker Governments at the Federal and Provincial levels and the over-all quality of the electoral process.

The Group recorded its appreciation for the unprecedented, historic transition that is imminent from the completed tenure of elected Governments to the inception of the next elected Governments. The Group saw this as a momentous step towards strengthening democratic institutions and embedding democratic values and practices in the body politic of Pakistan.

At the same time, the Group expressed its deep concern at certain aspects of the electoral process. In view of the fact that virtually no prominent candidate, including some whose association with questionable and controversial episodes are widely alleged, have not been subjected to a comprehensive test of eligibility by Returning Officers and the Courts with reference to Articles 62 and 63, it is obligatory for the new Parliament that will come into being post- May 2013 to review and, where necessary, substantially amend the said Articles in order to make them enforceable in practice.

Taking note of the exceptional speed, accuracy and efficiency with which every voter is able to obtain information on the location of the polling station where his or her vote can be cast, the Group said that in a country where mis-governance is prevalent, this example of excellence achieved under the supervision of ECP is a source of pride for the whole nation. The Group noted that several other countries are requesting advice and assistance from Pakistan to introduce similar arrangements for their own electoral systems.

While acknowledging that the appointment of the Care-taker Governments reflects the positive dimension of observing the due Constitutional process, the Group recorded its distress and disappointment at the inability of the Caretaker Governments to ensure protection of the lives of candidates and citizens, especially in the three smaller Provinces of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtun Khawa and Baluchistan. Whereas it is fortunate that Punjab has not witnessed the same level of violence and terrorism, in a Federation as unique as Pakistan, the people of the three smaller Provinces should not see this dis-similarity in suffering as yet another manifestation of victimization.

The Group condemned the targeting of three political parties i.e; ANP, MQM, PPP which hold particular view-points on national and ideological issues. The use of terrorism and violence to intimidate and coerce parties and voters should not be allowed to succeed. There is an urgent need for law-enforcement authorities and intelligence agencies to pre-empt and prevent such destructive actions.

During a period of significant geo-political, economic and security challenges, the Group recorded its deep regrets that the Federal Government has been functioning since its inception without Ministers of Foreign affairs, Finance and Defence.

With reference to the on-going intensity and volume of paid-for advertising being conducted by certain political parties in all mass media, the Group regretted that the Election Commission of Pakistan failed to announce limits on expenditures by political parties. Further, the Group noted that, despite the Supreme Court having asked ECP to take note of, and implement major recommendations by the SC-appointed Media Commission, no mechanism has been established by ECP to track, in real time, the actual expenditures of political parties in media advertising. Thus, there is no information on whether a level playing-field has been provided to all parties and candidates because the costs of advertising remain shrouded and unknown.

With reference to the verdict rendered recently by the Peshawar High Court, through which a disqualification for life from eligibility to be elected to Parliament has been rendered on former President Pervez Musharraf, the Group noted that there is no precedent for such a ban. The Group reposed its respect in the judicial process to ensure that justice is done without bias.

The Group welcomed the publication by PILDAT �The First 10 General Elections of Pakistan� co-authored by Dr. Hassan-Askari Rizvi and Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani. The Group observed that this comprehensive and incisive survey of 9 elections and factors relevant to the 10th election to be held on 11th May represented a panoramic study which is essential reading for all those interested in the democratic history and in a stable democratic future for Pakistan.

Members of the Citizens Group who were part of the meeting included Mr. Javed Jabbar, Former Senator & Federal Minister for Information; Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin, Columnist; Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, Chairman Gallup Pakistan; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, former Governor Sindh; Dr. Parvez Hassan, Lawyer; and Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT.