April 06; In view of the disturbing news of violence emanating from the pre-election process in NA-246 (Karachi-VIII), PILDAT has demanded that the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission of Pakistan need to ensure a violence-free, credible, transparent and fair election.

"This is the first major by-election to be conducted by the ECP after the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner and the Secretary ECP. It is, therefore, a test case of their as well as the ECP�s capacities and their ability to effectively utilise the powers of the ECP in conducting a free and fair election," said a PILDAT statement.

If the Provincial Government or the security agencies are not cooperating with the ECP to ensure a violence-free election, it is the responsibility of the ECP to use its powers to act decisively.

The public confidence in the effectiveness of the ECP is at a record low as an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis, 85%, believe that it is critical that the Election Commission of Pakistan�s functions need to be reformed and reconfigured.¹ If the ECP, under its new leadership, does not display an effective control and conduct of election in NA-246 (Karachi VIII), it will become very difficult to win public confidence in the ability of the ECP to ensure a free, fair and credible General Election in 2018, believes PILDAT.

1. For details please see
PILDAT Report on Public Opinion Poll on Quality of Democracy in Pakistan: August 2014