NDI urges fair election, effective monitoring
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—National Democratic Institute Sunday urged a broad-based cooperation among the government, political parties and the Election Commission to ensure transparency and effective monitoring of the forthcoming general elections.
The four-member Pre-Election Assessment Mission of the Institute also called for coordination for all election related efforts and effective international and local monitoring.
It recommended that the work of the Election Commission of Pakistan and should include specific timetable and benchmark to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
“Upcoming polls in Pakistan require urgent steps by the government to contain political violence, produce accurate voters’ list, curtail state departments’ interference in the electoral process, ensure the involvement of all political party leaders, and protect the rights of women voters,” said leader of the Mission, Tom Daschle, former US Senate Majority leader.
Addressing a news conference along with other Mission members, Daschle noted, the violence was creating an atmosphere of fear and threatens to curtail the ability of parties and candidates to freely engage in political activity.
The four-person Pre-Election Assessment Mission organized by National Democratic Institute (NDI), reached the findings after five days of meetings with government and electoral officials, political party leaders, civil society and media representatives, and international organizations.
In its nine-page report, the Mission cited the fears of violence and unrest and called for effective measures to ensure smooth electioneering.
The delegation found that violent incidents like the October 18 suicide attack against Benazir Bhutto in Karachi and ongoing violence could increase as the national and provincial assembly elections approach.
It urged the government, the Electoral Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and political parties to “take immediate steps toward providing a safer electoral environment.”
“The violence and intimidation is creating an atmosphere of fear,” said Daschle referring to the Mission’s findings and added, this trend can affect the ability of parties and candidates to freely engage in political activity.
The Mission recommended to the ECP to develop a formal process of regular consultations with political parties and civil society on election procedures and policies, access the NADRA’s database of identity card holders to strengthen the accuracy of the voters’ list and publish the final voters’ list in electronic format.
It recommended to the government to discourage state departments’ involvement in electioneering and create a legal framework for their neutrality, take all steps to prevent election-related violence and promptly investigate and prosecute all attempts to disrupt the election process and use full authority to enforce the right of women to vote in all areas of the country.
The Mission urged the political parties to adhere to a code of conduct and refrain from employing violence during the electoral period.
In the brief question-answer session, Ton Daschle saw no reason to postpone the elections. “Elections should be held as scheduled. I do not see any reason for postponement. Postponing election would undermine masses confidence.”
To an other question, he underlined the need for precautionary measures at the political rallies. “Rallies are part of election process and essential security measures should be ensured.” He said the Election Commission should ensure effective international and local monitoring of the process.
To a query, he said, political parties have a crucial role to play in election process as well as democratization of their ranks.