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

Women in politics

Women in Politics

Being a woman myself, this blog post is very close to my heart. I belong to the lot of auspicious urban women who can put into effect their voting rights; yet there are ample of areas in Pakistan where women are either dejected or out-rightly debarred by the local communities from voting. For a while now I've found myself argumentative about women’s lack of involvement in the voting progression but most of my utter has been with close friends and family. Still, I believe it’s about time that I stop lecturing to the before now rehabilitated and chat with each person and anybody who’s concerned in listening!

The General Elections in 2013 however showed some improvement as there was high percentage of women contribution. This is an awesome improvement and it is worth to courage those women, who casted their vote despite having the fear of terrorism and the barriers in certain remote areas. Looking at political perspective, where more than 450 women were contesting for the seats of National Assembly alone.

Nevertheless, regardless of these developments there are some more requirements to be done before all Pakistani women can work out their legal right of voting. Paradoxically, even today many political parties plunge to the desires of activist and conservative forces when it comes to women’s political involvement. We saw an evident case of this in 2013 when the candidates of nearly all the major political parties of Pakistan signed pacts in the tribal regions excluding women voters from casting votes or taking any action in the political process!

This kind of deeds by political leaders is profoundly given the verity that under the decentralization of power plan in 2000, the government standoffish 33% seats at all levels i.e. National, Provincial and Local Government for women.

When given liberty and autonomy to proceed, Pakistani women have for eternity been a foundation of constructive role in the political showground. Women parliamentarians have played an essential role in forming women-led conferences and tabling means governmental bills.  Additionally, in Pakistan women politicians have held key offices such as ex- Prime Minister (Late) Benazir Bhutto who held the office from 1988 to 1990 and then from 1993 to 1996 being the first PM of any Muslim country. Correspondingly there are a lot of female politicians from all the parties have held key positions. Evenly significant is the fact that the irresistible presence of nearly 40,000 women in local councils since 2000 has contributed enormously towards mainstreaming women into politics.

In the same monarchy we must also recognize the hard work of Malala Yousufzai, young Pakistani activist for female education and youngest female Nobel laureate as well and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Pakistani journalist and filmmaker who became the first Pakistani to win an Oscar. While these young women are not politicians they however reveal the gigantic latent that Pakistani women have and how they surpass and make the whole country proud when given independence to chase their obsession and put their knacks to follow.

I can’t highlight enough that this is the right time to make a genuine endeavor in order to make sure the contribution and liberty of the women in elections. Every modest attempt by you and me can really go a long, long way in making powerful female voters in our country. So next time you want to pamper in some drawing conversation on local politics, are looking for a significant topic to peep on or you’re preparing on sending out a letter to your local newspaper’s editor, make sure that addition of female voters is amid the topics that you discuss. A modest endeavor from all of us is essential for bringing a big shift in women’s political role in Pakistan.

Election Rigging

Rigging in elections

2013 General elections were held on 11^th of May for the appointment of the 14^th National assembly and the 4 provincial assemblies of the provinces. The procedure for election was conducted in all provinces and in Islamabad that is the Federal Capital territory. The two territories of Pakistan which are Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Blatistan couldn't participate due to their dubious conditions.

The elections were conducted in 272 constituencies out of which 70 seats were reserved to the women belonging parties and the parties from minority group.

General elections in Pakistan have been blemished by claiming of rigging along with the interference of the officialdom. ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) that is responsible for conducting elections procedure in Pakistan admitted the claims of rigging and the convicted persons on that account were Returning officers according to the ECP.

On 26^th of September ECP was supposed to declare a “disowning” report instead of it declare the map to follow the electoral reorganization. The statements pass by ECP and the present government doesn't match as the government says that the elections in 2013 were the most free and fare elections in the history of Pakistan.

The secretary of EC resigned on the statement that the elections had the most historic rigging in the history of Pakistan that has never been done before.

In the report published by ECP they admitted the rigging and blame the institutes like NADRA, FBR and the State Bank for not cooperating, the returning officer had so much power that he was not liable over the electoral process and the papers of nominations were not properly examine. The report also mentioned the failure of the program “Results Management System” that was organized by the UN Development Program.

The elections soon seem controversial when the chief election commissioner instantly declared the failure of free and fair polls in KHI, which is the largest city in Pakistan having a population of 20 million. The irregularities in the election occurred by not having a record of 139 constituencies. The chief election commissioner claimed that there was extreme intrusion of judiciary. According to the largest media groups of Pakistan Jung and Geo, PML (N) emerged as the Pakistan largest political party followed by PPP and PTI. Although the claims of Jung and Geo confirmed that only 18 % votes were counted.

PTI continuously insisted to have thumb verification in four constituencies the request was rejected by the PML (N), and that make the role of the PML (N) dubious in the elections. Hence PTI conduct rallies for that, which was joined by the PML (Q) and MWM Shia minority.

Other political parties in Pakistan didn't join the march of PTI but they did complain about not having fair elections and also demanded the resignation of election commission members.

Voters Training Guide

Voters Training program

Current situation demands to understand the necessity to ponder the opinion of voters on the point of re-establishment of democracy. For achieving this goal several attempts have been made which includes stating the awareness to vote, providing training & technical knowledge and the cooperation with voters, elected representatives, political parties and the media.

First of all, current circumstances of our country need a responsive leader to hold our country and help the country to move in the pace of melioration. We know that we’re falling behind because our leaders didn't performed their role at all and that is the reason why we’re so behind when all of the countries are living their life with full necessities we’re the one who are stuck in the lines of CNG and Petrol, we are trapped in the load shedding of electricity and Gas. We cannot get out of this until we fully understand our duties and responsibilities. For this a person should be fully aware of the importance and value of his or her vote and that is the reason why voters training programs have been initiated in Pakistan.

For having democracy it requires up to date voters list and full involvement of voters in election procedure plus to cast their vote without any pressure, threats and bullying. Thus voters shall be educated in view of that.

Voters education instigate from recruitment of enlisting their names in the voting list so to cast votes in polling station.

As to install a responsible government voters are required to participate in majority involving every member of their family, friends and neighbors who is not less than 18 years to help bringing the change in the society.

As to make democratic role moving forward to work in an efficient way, responsibilities of elected members and the performance of lawmaking assembly and voters right shall be revealed.

For the creation of democratic environment, congregation between the voters and the political candidates of the national, provincial and local bodies’ government shall be set to make them get to know each other, so they can see each other traits.

For all of this advertisement shall be published in order to familiarize public with this concept and making them aware through that. For this the publications shall be made in Urdu, English and other regional languages that are commonly spoken at that region. Advertisements shall be made also on electronic and print media so that every Pakistani gets aware of this theory. Surveys shall be held in all of the countries especially in urban areas to familiarize them and make them responsible as they cover greater part of our society.

Election is a vital part of the democratic society and that demands pure elections which are without any partiality and rigging. The result of the elections depends upon the polling staff, the political parties’ workers and the voters to know the rules and regulations of the election process.

To establish pure voting system in Pakistan we need to train the polling staff, party workers and voters. The training program includes the enlistment of voters, sustaining and modernizing electoral list, before election irregularities, duties of polling staff, the responsibilities of judiciary, the job of law enforcing organization, the privileges of voters and polling staff, the selection of a proficient candidate , the responsibilities of the political workers, the counting of vote, tabularization of the results and its declaration.

A guide shall be prepared for polling staff for their training that is very important. The training programs of voters shall be telecasted on electronic and print media. The procedure of grounding and allotment of training material shall be computerized through a network countrywide.

For invigilation, proper monitoring through electronic devices shall be done, so to check any rigging in elections. The voters should be guided through the process and issues related to the elections through electronic and print media.

Systematic Voting

This blog is for the detail discussion that how the registration system of voting works here in Pakistan. Following are the steps through which the registration system go through. The steps are provided in sequence for the ease of readers.

•       For the National And Provincial assemblies demeanor, the election commission of Pakistan assign a District returning officer for each district and a returning officer for each electorate who are drained from amid the officers of the judiciary, the federal or provincial government and local authorities. Returning officers are mostly Additional district and session judges.
•        The list of where elections are polled are prepared by returning officers with the consent of district returning officer. No polling station can be located on the grounds of a candidate.
•    The list of supervising officers, assistant presiding officers and polling staff is organized by the returning officer to be sent to the district returning officer for the consent. The list is sent at least 15 days before the polls. It is the duty of Presiding officer to conduct the polls at the polling station plus the maintenance of law & order is also the primary duty of presiding officer. The Presiding officer is supported by the Assistant Presiding officers and polling officers.
•  By the announcement of Election Commission the dates of Election schedule,  nomination papers are tempted from the willing candidates.
•  Returning officer scrutinize nomination papers where they are accepted or rejected.
•   Plead against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers are filed with the appellate panel. Where they decide that whether such plead summarily within such time to may be informed by the commission and are order approved thereon shall be conclude.
• The wrap up list of the disputed nominee is to be prepared and will be published In the approved behavior by the Returning officer after inclusion of the verdict on appeals and after abandonment of application by the applicant if any.
• The symbols for Election are also allocated to the nominee by the Returning officer according to the party association or as an individual candidate, from the list of symbols which are permitted by Election commission.
•   The names of the participating candidates are then arranged in Urdu alphabetical sequence granting each symbol against his name which was associated with him or her.
• The dedicated Voter’s list is provided to each Returning officer by the ECP, which is then distributed along with the Presiding officers in accordance with the polling scheme and assignment of voters to each polling booth.
• Votes can be cast only at the dedicated polling booth which are provided in an electoral rolls against their names.
• As the election for both assemblies i.e. National assembly and provincial held on the same day, thus the voter is granted with two ballet papers for each assembly constituency.
• When a voter comes to cast his or her vote in polling station, the presiding officer upon identifying him or her through the identity card issued him or her the ballot paper.
• Without delaying the polling is held in polling station for 9 hours consecutively.
• After 9 hours the votes are counted right away at the polling station by the presiding officer in the presence of nominee’s, their election and polling agents.
• Presiding officer prepares a statement  after counting the ballot papers by specifying the number of votes that is counted in the favor of respected candidate and sent it to the returning officer along with the unused election material i.e. spoilt ballet papers, unused ballet papers etc etc .
• The presiding officer declare the result at the polling booth, also copying the result at the outside of polling booth.
• After having the acknowledgment of statement of counts, the returning officer compiles the prelude unofficial result and associate the result to the Election commission through fax or with the help of other print or electronic media.
• After the declaration of unofficial result, the returning officer dole out a notice to all the participating nominee’s and their agents regarding the day, time and place that is fixed for the consolidation of the result. In the presence of the nominee’s and their agents the returning officer merge up the results of the counting endowed by the presiding officer in the agreed approach including postal ballot that is received by him before the day of polling.
• Instantly after organizing the merged up statements from the returning officer transfer a copy to the ECP in the approved form which is then published by the names of returned candidates in the official gazette.

For more details have a look on Pakvoter

Voter Qualification

For voter qualification it is to be considered to know that he/she must be a Pakistani citizen whose age should not be less than 18 years on 1^st of Jan of the year as the rolls are prepared and revised that day is consider the inhabitant of an electoral region. He/she can get themselves registered as a voter in that particular electoral region. The voters can only vote in a particular area in which they are registered.

Qualification for the membership of the parliament it is necessary to be a Pakistani citizen and to be listed in any electoral roll beneath the Electoral Rolls Act 1974. Lest of National Assembly or Provincial Assembly the age of the member should be 25 or more and the required age for senate is 30 or more is of good moral fiber and doesn't have infringed any Islamic embargo, has ample amount of information about Islamic laws and teachings and should perform the necessitate duties in Islam, moreover restraining him or herself from committing major sins. He or she should be shrewd, honorable, honest, non-extravagant, truthful and responsible. He /she must not be a crook for any crime containing moral turpitude or haven’t given any sham substantiation. He/she must be a graduate and is not against the ideology of Pakistan, can took part in election and become a member of the parliament or a provincial assembly.

Which to vote?

As election nearby, election campaign starts to began in which our political parties leader give the best of their energetic and vigorous speech. Public might fall in their sugar coating that what they will do if they will rule, but soon after their rule their all promises seems to fail and their tone changes  completely.

A common strategy to public is to either not to vote or voting the candidate without knowing that whether he has done something for them or not. In election times the leaders may distribute food or other goodies but don’t look at that. Seek  for what they have done before elections.try to find out their work in your area if the political candidate you voted in last election doesn't show up good response don’t vote for that but try a new one which you think that by giving chance to him he can show up some good work. Do not become a die hard follower of one party only for all your life, try for a change to bring change.

History of Pakistan has  showed  us some die hard followers of all time they didn't try any other and didn't bring change in their society instead they make their families also bound to that party. This system thus enhances the probability of the loop in which these parties will come into rule. Some areas specially are known as “ Garh” far a particular party and you will discover not a single voter of any other party which is extremely wrong. When we talk about having democracy where freedom of speech, rights and vote occur pioneering such situation is extremely bad.

If we will run for change definitely change will come towards us. The political parties leaders will see that no more traditions of die hard followers has left because we haven't done anything for them so they wont vote us so this time we've to do something for them so they do vote for us. But unfortunately we haven't done any of this we've been departed in parties defending whether they have done something wrong or right, hunting for rivals parties weaknesses and ignoring our own one.

The mistake is not of politicians but we’re the guilty one because we've let them a chance to do that for us and that things is the biggest  obstacle in the establishment of Pakistan. Try to know your political candidates at their best and search for their work in the development of the society if you find nothing interesting don’t vote for that even he/she belong high profile party instead go for the candidate who is passionate to accomplish his work.

Do vote and vote and vote for right candidate, if your family member are willing to vote another party don’t try to force them to vote yours instead encourage their point of view.

After effects of Election 2013

Pakistan election 2013 results to be in favor of PML (N) according to the Election Commission of Pakistan as they occupied 189 seats, whereas PPP acquired 45 and PTI 33 seats.

After the elections were held Imran khan the chairmen of PTI declared elections to be bogus by showing numerous evidences relating numerous NA’s. On this account he held protest in different cities around the country claiming to re-hold the elections. The protest grew bigger and bigger thus the supreme court of justice approves to retake the elections in few NA’s, but that doesn't satisfy Imran khan who continuously argues to retake the fair elections by having electronic voting system in Pakistan so that no one can argue that the elections are not fair. Thus he held a long march from Lahore to Islamabad adjoining great amount of PTI followers.

PAT on the other hand also decided to join the long march on the killing of innocent people by the hand of police of Punjab.

The protest continues not only for days but for months having several agendas by both parties. The deadlines, meetings with the government correspondent, the collisions among party’s followers and police, the resignations of the MNA’s of PTI, the betrayal within the parties became the headlines of the news for months and months.

Not all of the demands of both parties were accepted like the FIR of the PAT was conducting judicial trail, the elections were also retaken by the government in few NA’s but that doesn't satisfied both parties leader results in  continuing the protest.

Thus suddenly by having no longer response from the government and day by day increasing difficulties in continuing the protest PAT decided to end the protest whereas PTI continued it for months when a terrible day in Peshawar that is marked as the most darkest in the pages of history where terrorist attack in Army public school not for having hostages but to take revenge from the government  of Pakistan on having operation “ZARB-e-AZAB” in which army took the responsibility to clean the Pakistan’s land from terrorist. Thus the fire of revenge ruined the school along with the whole nation by brutally killing innocent 140+ children, Principal, Teachers and other staff members. The horrible incident not only left the affecting families in the grief but the whole nation felt grieved as well as horrified by the incident.

The whole nations thus stand together to fight against terrorism and bring it to an end so as the political parties and the protest of PTI comes to an end so fight the national cause.