Incompatibility of Economical & Political Situations In Pakistan

Pakistan (a claiming welfare state) got independence from British colonial India in 1947, due to visionary leadership of Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Since its birth, the annual economic growth rate of country averaged around five percent. As far as politics is concerned, there are two scenarios i.e. internal and external, but since two decades, external factor laid deep impact over the economy, to certain extent shattered as well.

External Factors:
The bounds of external factor affecting the social, political and economic culture are as follows:

Disagreements between Pakistan & India: 
Pakistan neighbors shares his Eastern border with India, due to uneven distribution of resources of common homelands raised several conflicts and contentions among which Kashmir is the prominent one. The two nations have fought four major wars & several minors, such unrest in the geostrategic level politics has never let economy towards prosperity.

Instability of Afghanistan:
Whether it is USSR or USA, the invasion of Afghanistan massively affected nearly all classifications of motherland specially KPK province that neighbors western border with Afghanistan in various aspects. Since the American presence in Afghanistan, the political situation of Pakistan has turned 360 degrees, as it raised not only security as well as existential threat for the homeland. Although Pakistan also served as an ally of USA during invasion by providing major logistic support but Pakistan has always complained for insufficient payback for the devastation that stepped in the country.

Internal Factors:
Apart from externals, there are some internals issues that suffered Pakistan from economical unrest are as follows:

 Religious & Ethnic Disturbance:
Although religious, sectarian & ethnic turbulence somehow linked to external factors, but it is one of the disturbing factors endangering the social, cultural, civilization norms of Pakistan. Due to increase in to no. of such incidents, majority of Pakistanis believe that they are headed by some external forces, which could not tolerate prosperity of nation, specially after the several violence incidents in Baluchistan and Karachi.

Political Instability:
If we observe the history of country, the way political instability affected nothing influenced in that manner. The worst scenarios witnessed in recent years like assassination of Benazir Bhutto, long-march of Nawaz Sharif for the restoration of Judiciary, long-march of Imran Khan against unfair elections, & tug of war between PPPP and MQM in Karachi suffered economy of Pakistan in each situation. Although, political instability raises question over the performance of Supreme Court, security agencies & election procedure in Pakistan, it could be resolved by Mutual Corporation of all the stakeholders rather than depending upon one.

Summing-up, we can’t neglect any of the above factors. There also some other factors that affect the economical as well as political situation of country but the impression of above mentioned issues are grave than other issues which couldn’t be discussed due to space and time.

Know your political candidate

Know your political candidate

In democratic state, citizens cast their vote on the origin of political beliefs, mutual interests and policies of political parties. However, currently where we live, vote is casted on the basis of self-interests, caste system, language, customs, traditions, sectarian relationship and local alliance. In such circumstances the voter is not fully aware of the candidate he or she is voting for.

In some scenarios it has also been observed that we vote on the basis of the personality or in other words likeness of the candidate without even knowing the silhouette of the political party or of the candidate. We have been teaches as not to judge by the appearance but usually we do so.

Even if political parties issue their political policies or you can say their manifesto earlier to elections, nevertheless, such policies continue to be sheltered and even not read by their own candidates, the citizens’ access to policies is the far-flung question.

The candidates give their information to Election Commission of Pakistan that is also kept hidden from citizens. As the consequence, an election passes the parliament holding intermingling of several connections, interests, and ambitions. Due to this, governments formed on alliance of political parties and some interest groups usually fail to convey the mutual public interests in achieving their vested interests and goals. In disenchantment, the citizens imagine governments’ failure as malfunction of democracy and start blameworthiness on democracy as flawed and unsuccessful system.

The time demands that the nation should now get aware with the association of elections with the democracy and Good Governance. An election that is held in veracity brings forward a true government that is elected by the people with the help of their informed decisions.

An informed verdict is when voters know their political parties and candidates of their preference, their previous acts, their policies, and their sincerity of being a good parliamentarian, their social and economic profiles. Such government formed on citizens’ informed decision will deliver good governance according to people aspirations. So what matters is that we should know our political candidate fully.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Elections

In Pakistan, Second agenda of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan endow for election to president of Pakistan. According to which, before one month to cessation of president term, it is the duty of the ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) to hold and perform election for the President and CEC (Chief Election Commissioner) shall be the Returning Officer for such election. Likewise, ECP assign Presiding Officers to supervise at the meeting of the affiliates of Parliament and at the convention of the associates of the Provincial Assemblies.

The CEC by open announcement fixes the venue for submission of nomination papers, holding an inquiry, making abandonment, if any, and holding the poll, if obligatory. Any affiliate of the Parliament or of a Provincial Assembly may propose an individual entitled for election as President, by conveying to the Presiding Officer a nomination paper, signed by himself as proposer and by another component of the Parliament or, as the case may be Assembly as secondary, mutually with a declaration signed by the individual nominated that he assent to the nomination.

After inspection, CEC announces, by open announcement, the names of the individual genuinely nominated, to be hereinafter called the candidate(s). According to the constitution of Pakistan, Article 41, President’s Electoral College consists of members of both Houses i.e. Senate and National Assembly and constituent of Provincial Assemblies. The particular Presiding Officers perform the poll at the congregation of Parliament and of each Provincial Assembly. The poll is held by secret ballot listing the names of all the candidates in alphabetical order. An individual place his votes by marking against the candidate for whom he/she wishes to vote.

later than, CEC find out the end result of the election in the following manner, namely:

(a)   the number of votes cast in the Parliament in errand of each candidate shall be counted;

(b)   the number of votes cast in a Provincial Assembly in errand of each candidate shall be multiplied by the total number of seats in the Provincial Assembly for the time being having the smallest number of seats and divided by the total number of seats in the Provincial Assembly in which the votes have been cast; and the vote is counted by following formula:

 (No. of Votes obtained by candidate in PA × lowest No. in PAs (65 being lowest))/Total members of relevant provincial Assembly

In this formula, each province has an equal share of vote in President’s Electoral College. That shows that the each constituent of the Punjab Assembly has 65/371 = 0.175 votes, each member of the Sindh Assembly has 65/168 = 0.387 votes, each member of the NWFP Assembly has 65/124 = 0.524 votes and each member of the Baluchistan Assembly has 65/65 = 1 vote.

(c)  the number of votes calculated in the manner referred to in clause (b) shall be added to the number of votes counted under clause (a).The candidate who has obtained the largest number of votes compiled in the manner specified above is declared by the CEC to be elected.

Political Development from 2007 onwards

By having a rule of almost 10 years the public of Pakistan feel rejected to see Pervaiz Musharaf and his government and after the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz sharif who were exile for years and also the leaders of strongest political parties in Pakistan i.e. PPP and PML (N) the public feel a new revolution in the air of Pakistan leading more difficulties in the path of Musharaf who was facing big challenges in the name of day by day increasing terrorism. On the other hand Benazir was facing some serious threats and thus was welcomed by the blast which was then named as “Saniha Karsaz” killing numerous PPP followers fortunately Benazir survived in this attack, but when conducting an election rally in Rawalpindi she was shot in the head which proves to be fatal. Thus the nation feel devastated at the terrible loss of the great Politician. The death of Benazir thus caused the elections to be postponed for the few months so the political situations should be controlled.

Benazir's Assassination 

In 2008 nation feel emotionally attached to the PPP who was then supervised by Benazir‘s son i.e. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who became the chairmen of PPP. Thus PPP proved to be victorious in the elections that were held on 18^thof February 2008 followed by PML (N). On the other hand PTI had already withdrawn from the elections.

Soon after PPP rule as a government the economic unbalance started too fretful. Higher rates of Petrol, Diesel, and daily basis living things put aggression in the public. The government neither solved any problem instead keep on raising prices.

After their rule which was not successful at all the country was fallen into mounts of debts and high prices of everything.

As a result of government failure Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri held a long 

Long March

march on 14^thJan of that year in Islamabad in D chowk to derail the government of Pakistan with heavy crowds. He sets his conditions to held elections ASAP.  By setting protest for three days and having several meetings with the government authorities they compromise on following conditions:

First and most prior demand was to call for electoral reforms i.e. vetoing corrupt incumbents from taking part in the elections and to bring forward the date for the election ASAP. 

Qadri also demanded for the interim government from the input of judiciary and military to hold the charge of the country before elections, as this concept abolishes the history of Pakistan so this offer was refused by the military. Upon reaching Islamabad Qadri put a new demand for the Parliament dissolution by 15^th of Jan by making president of Pakistan “an ex president”. The protest last for 3 days which results in putting new demands day by day. Now the demand was to dissolution of provincial assemblies and disbanding of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The demands of Qadri were accepted in such a way that Elections to be held on 11^th of May.National Assembly would be dissolved before 16^th of March and elections to be held within 90 days following one month of scrutiny under Articles 61 and 62 under the constitution of Pakistan.

Qadri congratulated protesters on the night of 17^th Jan after meeting with the government correspondent and said “It is a day of victory for the marchers and the nation alike. [I thank] Almighty Allah who bestowed His blessings [on the protesters].”

2013 elections then appeared to be bogus by having numerous corruptions in most of the NA’s. Imran khan the chairmen of PTI held countrywide protest stating to re held the elections.

2007-2013 political development causes great disturbance in the country economic situation. Day by day protest has also caused the business of the public to be shuttered down, schools to be off and same is the case of work. Moreover due to strikes the roads were blocked which causes people to stay at home and patients to die on road. May such situations never ever come in the future Pakistan Ameen.  

E-Voting in Pakistan

E-Voting in Pakistan

Electronic voting is usually seen as a means for making the electoral process more resourceful. E-voting solutions can amplify the safety of the ballot; boost up the dispensation of results and make voting easier.

Types of E-Voting:

Direct Recording Electronics (DRE) E-voting which is actually administrated by representatives of governmental or independent electoral establishment e.g. electronic voting machines located at polling stations. Distant e-Voting voting is performed within the voter's solitary power, and is not physically administrated by governmental authorities e.g. voting from one's PC, cell phone, TV via the internet (also called e-voting or Remote E-Voting)

Restricted Environments Seen as the electronic corresponding of customary paper-based voting in polling stations, Unrestricted Environments occurs without any direction and from voting devices that cannot be restricted by the election administration.

Strengths of E-Voting

• Quicker vote calculation and indexing
• More precise results as miscalculation is debarred
• Proficient management of knotty electoral systems
• Enhanced appearance of difficult ballot papers
• Better handiness for voters
• Automatic increased contribution and churn out
• Additional accustomed to the needs of a gradually more itinerant society
• Frauds in polling stations, transmission and tabulation are prevented as the human interaction is reduced to maximum level
• Augmented convenience
• Chance of different language user interfaces that can provide a different language electorate improved than paper ballots
• Possible durable cost investments through savings in poll worker time

Weaknesses of E-Voting

• Requisite of lucidity
• Restricted sincerity and accepting of the system for non-experienced
• Need to have settled principles for e-voting systems
• Probable contravention of the confidentiality of the vote
• Enlarged communications and ecological rations
• Augmented safety rations for defending the voting system in Pakistan
• Compact echelon of run by the election administration
• Partial narrate promises
• Incomplete hold up for immobilize voters
• Requirement for additional voter education movement
• Likely variance with the accessible legal framework

Future in Pakistan

• Facing a concern of having genuine democracy
• Pakistan’s initial step towards e-voting is to substantiate the voters
• ECP done door to door verification
• World’s largest voter confirmation is initiated through SMS

EVM Solutions

• The organism aims at ensuring lucidity and bogus elections
• Electronic thumb confirmation of each voter shall be done at the own polling station EVM Structure
• Voter recognition Unit
• Vote Casting Unit
• Result Management Unit

Weaknesses that Pakistan not overcome

• Need of simplicity
• Need to have settled principles for e-voting systems
• No Paper review trace
• Reduced level of control by the election administration because of high vendor- and/or technology-dependence
• Omitted hold up for disable voters
• Need for extra voter education movement possible conflict with the existing legal framework

By working on weaknesses I am sure that E-voting will help in removing corruption in elections, As we saw the biggest bogus General Elections in 2013

Pakistan senate election for 2015

Pakistan Senate Election 2015

Pakistan elections for senate were scheduled on 5^th of March 2015. The senate elections were held to select 52 retiring officers of the senate. In these elections we saw some veteran senators like Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Sabir Ali Baluch.

For the past Senate, the leading party was of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who would drop 21 members, following by PML (N) i.e. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz who has loosed 9 members and ANP (Awami National Party) loosing 6 members.

According to the plan generated by the ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan), selection papers for the election were offered on 12^th and 13^th February, while inspection of the papers was held on 16^th and 17^th February. The record of contesting candidates was issued on 25^th February. Election polling for the 52 seats will be held on 5^th March. For 11 seats, each of the four provinces' polling will be held in the provincial capitals, while polling for seats from the federal capital and FATA will be held in the National Assembly. According to the ECP notice, in each province elections will be held for 07 General seats, 02 seats for technocrats and Ulema and 02 reserved seats for women.

Elections are held circuitously; to win 01 seat in Senate; the contestants would entail 52 votes from the Punjab Assembly, 24 from the Sindh Assembly, 18 from the KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Assembly and 9 from the Baluchistan Assembly.

The senate elections result for 2015 turnout to be:

PPP having 27 seats, PML (N) having 26 seats, ANP having 7 seats, PTI having 6 seats and other includes 38.

For more update for Senate election result of 2015 visit www.pakvoter.org

Women & Elections

Women & Elections

The National assembly of Pakistan in 2013 was the first one in the history of Pakistan, to complete its tenure of 5 years. What was special about this assembly is that the participation of women in parliament was surprising. Out of 53, 20 were the bills of private members that were moved by women during the regime of government. The women outperformed their male opposite number in terms of formal intercessions during parliamentary dealings.

In 2013 what we notice from media that the participation of women was outstanding in every matter and they put extra efforts to show how much they value in politics. Despite of the fact of efforts and value, the contesting women in general elections in 2013 were fewer than women participating in 2002. In 2002 the total number of women who participated in general elections was 38 and in 2013 the number of participating women was 36.

In Pakistan, more than half population is of women. But their role and representation in National assembly is not similar to these numbers. What I strongly believe is that women are much stronger than men and they have some more potential than men and they can do multitasking without even showing the amount of burden on them to others.

What we can do is to liberate women in a way that they have their basic rights. To vote and work is the basic right of every woman and to lessen the economic imbalance in the country it is necessary for every woman to work and to work for Pakistan. Although the role of women in 2013 elections was outstanding and the great amount of female voters voted in the last election. But the fact is that there are still 11 million eligible women who are not even registered to vote and they are very far away from their basic right. It is in the significance of all political parties in Pakistan to set free these potential women voters. The cooperative measures of women parliamentarians would go a long way in concentrating on the issues of the masses.

What women parliamentarians need is a little bit confidence to better their public appearance. In past we have seen women parliamentarians but most of them were shy and didn't participate fully in any meeting in their constituencies due to many reasons. Now the scenario is changing slowly and gradually. Women politicians are involved in social working and interacting more with public to buff up their skills of politics.

Election Commission of Pakistan officials publicized after the General Elections of 2013 that churn out for women voters was 44 per cent in May 11 elections and 11 female returning officers were selected. Nonetheless, there were some 500 polling stations where women’s attendance was zero. It will be sensible if a law is propagated which affirm the results of constituencies null and void where women are not allowed to vote.

The Senate of Pakistan

The Senate of Pakistan

Background

We already know that the parliament of Pakistan is consists of the two houses and the president. The two houses are known as the Senate and the National assembly. Under the constitution of Pakistan, 1973, in Article 50; the senate was constituted for the first time.

The foremost idea for the establishment of the Senate of Pakistan was to give equal depiction to all federating units. There is equivalent provincial association in the Senate that stable the provincial variation in the National Assembly where the amount of seats is determined based on populace volume.

Composition of the Senate

The Senate of Pakistan having 114 members selected ultimately by the associates of the National Assembly and the Members of the Provincial Assemblies:

Every one of the four Provincial Assemblies opt for 14 Senators on general seats, four women, four technocrats including Ulema; a religious scholars and one on seat kept for minorities.

The Associates of the National Assembly from FATAs (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) choose eight Senators to represent FATAs;

All associates of National Assembly vote for 2 Senators on general seats, one woman and one technocrat or Alim- a religious scholar; to represent the Federal Capital.

In Past, Minorities did not have kept back seats in the Senate. Conversely, under 18^th Alteration to the Constitution, 04 seats for minorities have been aloof to give suitable illustration to minorities in the Senate. These seats have been packed for the first time in the March 2012 election to the Senate.

The tenure of Senators is 06 years with semi of the seats being up for election every 03 years. The President of Pakistan has the supremacy to suspend the National Assembly, but he cannot disband the Senate.

 

Method of election

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is accountable for the demeanor of the Senate elections. For this function the Returning Officers and Polling Officers are allotted by the ECP from amid its senior officers.

The election to the Senate is held in agreement with the Proportional Representation (PR) system by means of single transferable vote (STV). Including of votes under STV system is difficult and knotty. For that reason, ECP in alliance with IFES arranged a 04 day training practicum in January 2012 for 28 officers of the ECP to supply them the mandatory skill for the accomplishment of the elections and to publicize them with the counting method.

 

Credentials for being member

A person in quest of election to the Senate must be a Pakistani citizen, having at least 30 years of age and be rolled as a voter in the Province or Area (Federal Capital or FATAs) from which he/she is looking for election. Those candidates seeking for election on seats reserved for Technocrats and Ulema should, in addition to the aforementioned, have at least 16 years of education and 20 years of experience counting triumphs at national or international level.

 

Chairman and Deputy Chairman

Once the Senate has been appropriately established and members have taken oath, the associates elect a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman from surrounded by themselves at its first gathering. When the office of Chairman or Deputy Chairman becomes unoccupied, the Senate selects another affiliate as Chairman or, as the case may be, Deputy Chairman.

Legislative Powers

Before presenting a bill to the president it should be passed by both the houses and after acquiesce of the president it becomes law.Bills can instigate in either of the Houses, apart from money bills which can begin in the Lower House only. The Senate can make suggestions on budgetary proposals after argument but cannot choose on them.

Good Governance Accountability

Good Governance Accountability

There are certain essential ethics that remain unchanged across margins that doesn't depend upon language, traditions or so norms of a region. For example, we have not seen anywhere in the world, heaps demanding prevalent chaos and disorder, on the opposing side, world over people wants to have an efficient structure of supremacy to uphold statue of law in the people. Hence, it feels safe and sound to imagine seeing regulation and strength in the culture is something that is intrinsic to all human beings. It is this vital necessity that impels us all to assemble following political leaders, applaud for them during convoy and vote for them during elections. Hoping, all time that our leader will bring forward peace, prosperity and change in the society when he/she will be in power. Nevertheless, our hope to witness betterment in the world is not time bound and so it does not finish subsisting upon casting the vote. These hopes persist after new government is in charge, motivating us to examine their strategies, course of actions of government authorities and their leaders.

It is the movement for steady development in the milieu that mounts another fundamental assessment that globally people know as ACCOUNTABILITY.

Many people consider Accountability as the fourth leg of the figurative chair for good domination. It helps many to appraise the value of public administrator and offices, making sure that they are performing at their best and guarantee to serve their people at any time of their need.

So how can we exercise accountability in our society? From what means a voter can share his/her concerns? How can we complain? How can we reach government authorities?

In Pakistan there are many organizations whose solitary rationale is to make sure that the government and its offices are running their matters evidently. There are some organizations in which an ordinary person can submit his complaint regarding the functioning of the government. For example in NAB (National Accountability Bureau) which is an anti corruption organization and every Pakistani is adequate to submit his or her complaint against any government authority, political leader or bureaucratic along with witnesses.

Parliament of Pakistan is another one of the most important organization in the succession of accountability. The parliament is not only the bridge between people and government but its role is critical in terms of accountability institutions report. And through parliament, its people and civic groups can have different information about laws and policies.

In other way there are many sources through which a government can ensure effective governance's. And it’s just not government; it’s the responsibility of the citizens too, as they help government in running good terms.

Election Campaign of PPP

Pakistan Peoples Party was established in 1968 with the slogan “Roti, Kapra aur Makan”. PPP is the party where we’ve seen two most veterans leaders martyred i.e. Z.A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. After Benazir’s death, Asif Ali Zardari and Billawal Zardari took the control of the party where it is said that Bilawal will become the next PM, but he was too young for that and the Constitution of Pakistan doesn't allow any person less than 25 years to be enrolled for the election seat.

PPP come as the victor part in 2008 elections and after having their rule for 5 years which was full of devastation, the public refused them. But there is still a major part of Pakistan following PPP i.e. Sindh, where only rule is of either PPP or MQM.

Therefore PPP got vote from there and as a result of this they standout on the second position in the election of Pakistan. PPP also declare the current election to be bogus but they did not stand out with Imran Khan in his protest against the bogus elections.

For more information, please visit www.Pakvoter.org.

Election Campaign of PTI 2013

Pakistan is a democratic social part that is led by the cricketer turned politician Imran khan. PTI is very old party but it was not in that much politics. History of Pakistan has shown us that we’re ruled by same parties over and over again. PTI also did take the time to develop and before lections it become very famous and renowned politician starts to join this party leaving their high profile parties. Like Shah Mehmood Qureshi who was in PPP, he left PPP and join PTI, likewise Javed Hashmi who belongs to PML-N, before elections he also left PML-N and there are many more that left their parties to join PTI. That increases the PR of the PTI before elections and the campaign they conducted were followed by huge number of crowds. The crowd mostly includes the young generation and Imran Khan was leading them.

Imran Khan also decided to have inter-party elections where renowned politician were beaten by the inter-party members. Like Arif Alvi was beaten by Pervez Khattak and Ejaz Chaudhry won against Ahsan Rasheed.

PTI slogan was the “New Pakistan”, with the aim to remove all of the corruption in the society and giving better resources to every civilian. He also point out the family bounded companies politics.

PTI also campaigned on social media where young generation was following him by heart. The other important points of PTI campaign were following:

• War on Terrorism
• Control Private School Fees
• Structuring the Quality of Education
• End Corruption

The hurdles that were face by PTI during elections that Imran fell from 14 ft as he was stepping up on the forklift, the forklift got misbalanced injuring all of the persons that were on that forklift. Imran Khan was badly injured in that incident having two fractures in his spinal column. But PTI handled that too very smartly by having video campaigns of Imran so the generation felt connected with Imran although he was not present with them.

After Elections, PTI standout on the third position. Imran continuously insisted upon the rigging in elections to which the new government didn’t pay attention and forcibly he then conducted protest in different cities across Pakistan but that was also of no use.

For more information, please visit Pakvoter.

Electoral system in Pakistan

Election Commission of Pakistan

In this blog we’ll try to discuss the complete Electoral system body in Pakistan, from assembly’s dissolution to Local government in Pakistan. Starting from what is stated according to the constitution of Pakistan ad the laws about elections we’ll find Article 222-226 which states about the structure according to which elections can be held in Pakistan. The Articles states that:

No person can be a member of both houses i.e. National and Senate or a House and Provincial assembly.

General election to the assembly should be held within the epoch of ninety days after the dissolution that assembly i.e. National assembly or Provincial assembly. The results to that election should be affirmed within 14 days after the ending of polls.

 The chapter 2: Electoral laws and conduct of Elections, Article 222-226 in the Constitution of Pakistan states that:

“A general election to the National Assembly or a Provincial Assembly shall be held within a period of sixty days immediately following the day on which the day on which the term of the Assembly is due to expire, unless the Assembly has been sooner dissolved, and the results of the election shall be declared not later than fourteen days before that day.”

Election Commission of Pakistan:

Election commission of Pakistan (ECP) that was established in 1956, the constitution of Pakistan held responsible ECP for administration of general elections in Pakistan.

Under the chapter 1 Part 8: Chief Election commission, Article 218-219, The Constitution of Pakistan states that

“For the purpose of each national general election to the State Parliament (National Assembly) and to a Provincial legislature (Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan) an Election Commission shall be constituted in accordance with the Article 239G. It shall be the duty of the Election Commission constituted in relation to an election to organize and conduct the election and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law, and that corrupt practices are guarded against.”

The EC is formed with comprising the Chief Election Commissioner as the Chairman who can be a judge or retired judge of the Supreme Court and 4 members from each province who are the judges of the four High courts over there which are chosen by the President by constitution.

Level of elections in Pakistan:

In Parliamentary election there are Assemblies, Senate, Presidential and Local Government elections. Let’s look over them one by one.

Assemblies Elections:

In Parliamentary system of Pakistan through secret ballot papers the executive and legislature are elected directly through public voting in constituencies. The candidate who earned the highest vote in polling then becomes a member of National or Provincial assembly. The seats in the National assembly are allocated to each province. The seats reserved for women and to the minorities are allocated according to the law.

National Assembly consisting of 342 seats is generally elected for 5 years terms. However if it is dissolved the elections must be held within 90 days stated in the constitution of Pakistan.

Senate elections:

It is compromised with 100 seats to which 14 are reserved for each Provincial assembly, 8 for FATA by the members of National assembly from the respective areas, 2 members containing 1 woman and technocrat from by the Federal capital members of National assembly and 4 of both women and technocrats from each Provincial assembly. The tenure of the members is of 6 years.

Presidential Elections:

It is the duty of ECP to demeanor presidential elections in-order to elect a President of the state who must not be less than 45 years, whom can be a woman or man but should be a Muslims. The tenure of the president if of 5 years and the senate, national and provincial assembly in a special session elects president under the supervision of ECP.

Local government elections:

In order of good governance the administrative and financial authorities are distributed to be answerable to local government. The elections are held after 4 years and it is the duty of ECP to conduct these elections.

For more information visit www.pakvoter.org