Activation of Election

Academy A Proposal

Correct vote casting is essential to elect representatives of national and provincial assemblies. For National Assembly, 940582 valid votes were rejected in general elections 2008. During 2013 general elections, symbol “Scale” remained a bone of contention between Pakistan Tehreek Insaf and Jamat-e-Islami. Election commission awarded Scale to Jamat-e-Islami.

No doubt, Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) along with its partners NGOs countrywide tried to educate women for vote casting during last two general elections. Findings of seminars and conferences show that Pakistani voters particularly women are less educated and unaware of correct vote casting.

Time has been changed. Independent male candidates from provinces do not like election symbols like hen, goat and bangles. Long list of outdated election symbols can be seen at website of election commission. All key players including Election commission of Pakistan must form a committee to shortlist symbols for general and local government elections.

International community through donors has been taking active part in democratic process in Pakistan. They must develop easy to understand manuals for different kinds of ballots. They must focus on master trainers and tap university graduates for great cause like responsible democracy. Election Academy at ECP must be made central point for voter literacy and education so that 85% voter turnout could be achieved in the general elections 2018.

Sajid Imtiaz

Expert Member, CDKNMember, Corruption MonitorMember, Pakistan Society of CriminologyFeedback: sajedimtiaz@hotmail.com