GENERAL ELECTION 2018

Transcription

1 GENERAL ELECTION 2018 Update-IV May 16 May 31, BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has been conducting periodic assessments of the political environment and the implementation of electionrelated laws, rules and regulations since January 2018, as part of its multi-phase observation of General Elections (GE) The purpose of the observation is to contribute to the evolution of an election process that is free, fair, transparent and accountable, in accordance with the requirements laid out in the Elections Act, FAFEN produces regular updates, information briefs and reports to provide objective, impartial and evidence-based information regarding the quality of electoral and political processes to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), political parties, the media, civil society organizations and citizens. The General Elections 2018 Update-IV is based on observation data gathered systematically from 130 districts by as many trained and non-partisan District Coordinators (DCs) during the latter half of May 2018 (May 16 to May 31). The information was collected through 731 interviews with representatives of 44 political parties and groups. Update-IV documents district-level political alignments and realignments prior to GE 2018, and includes key observation findings regarding 325 political gatherings held across the country. Moreover, based on data gathered through methodical monitoring of 11 national and regional newspapers, the Update includes information on reported incidents of political and electoral violence, and politicallymotivated advertisements in the press. Additional observation findings on postings and transfers ahead of GE 2018, and allotment of election symbols are also included. 2. RISING PERCEPTION OF PRE-ELECTION INTIMIDATION Interviews with district-level political party representatives suggest that the majority (90% or 658) of party leaders and workers were able to conduct campaign activities in an environment free of intimidation and threats whereas 10% (or 73) felt intimidated by certain actions of political opponents, local influential, police or other Law Enforcement Agencies. The percentage of interviewed politicians who felt intimidated increased from 5% in General Election Update-I (covering the period January to March 2018) to 10% in the current Update. The following graph presents the trajectory of pre-election intimidation claims by party representatives interviewed between January and May,

2 Perception of Pre-Election Intimidation (Trend Jan-May 2018) % 11% 10% 12% 10% % 8% 6% 4% 500 2% 0 January to March 2018 April 1 to April 30, 2018 May 1 to May 15, 2018 May 16 to May 31, 2018 Intimidation Claims 0% Claims of intimidation were largely reported from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan during the observation period such claims were reported from Sindh followed by Punjab (23) and Balochistan (8). The following graph shows the regional distribution of responses by interviewed party representatives: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa FATA Punjab Sindh Balochistan ICT 6 Leaders/Workers being Intimidated No Intimidation or Threat Received Interviewees who claimed being harassed or intimidated are largely affiliated with parties that are not part of the government in their respective provinces. In Punjab, representatives of the opposition parties Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Pakistan People s Party (PPP) and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) claimed that they were intimated by the police and the Punjab s government. In Sindh, representatives of MQM Pakistan, Mohajir Qoumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F), PTI, Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) (JUI-F) and Sindh United Party (SUP) claimed to be intimidated by their political opponents and police, while at least 13 respondents said that the provincial government pressurized or harassed their workers and leaders. In Balochistan, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP, PTI, JUI-F, Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Party (NP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) representatives claimed being harassed police and tribal influential. However, in a few cases, representatives of provincial ruling parties also claimed being intimidated at some places. For instance, representatives of PML-N interviewed 2

3 in Kasur, Lodhran and Pakpattan said they felt intimidated by Law Enforcement Agencies. Similarly, representatives of PPP the ruling party in Sindh - claimed being intimidated in Khairpur and Nawabshah by their political rival and police. Refer to Annexure-I for a district-wise list of parties whose representatives claimed being intimidated during the pre-election period. The majority of party representatives who felt intimidated alleged that influential persons in their communities used various pressure and harassment tactics, including direct threats to the lives of opponents and terminations or transfers of the relatives of political opponents serving in government departments. A small number of party workers alleged being harassed by the police through registration of fake cases, reopening of old cases against party leaders or other representatives, and detention of party workers by police and other agencies. 3. RELATIVELY PEACEFUL ELECTION CAMPAIGN PERIOD FAFEN s media monitoring data reveals a total of seven incidents of political and electoral violence reported during the observation period. In comparison to the first fortnight of May 2018 when 28 such incidents were reported, the number of incidents registered a decline during the second half of the month. The most number of political and electoral violence incidents were reported from Sindh (five incidents), while one each was reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The incidents included the shooting of a PPP female worker and employee of the Population Welfare Department in Thatta; injuries to three PML-N workers in Karachi due to firing at their party office; and the detention of two PPP-Shaheed Bhutto workers by police over unknown reasons in Khairpur. Moreover, a former leader of PML-F was injured in a brawl outside his residence in Hyderabad while a senior PTI leader slapped his PML-N counterpart during a live TV show on Geo TV. A prayer leader belonging to JUI-F was shot dead in Quetta. 4. COMPETITIVE ELECTION CAMPAIGN From May 16 to May 31, 2018, FAFEN observed a total of 325 public gatherings of 32 political parties, independent political leaders and groups that are not listed with the ECP. More than one-third of the observed gatherings were held in Punjab (127), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (76), Sindh (52), Balochistan (37), Islamabad Capital Territory (17) and FATA (16). Major political parties, including PML-N, PPP and PTI held the majority of these public gatherings. As GE 2018 approaches, the frequency of public political gatherings has risen, albeit not consistently; from January to March 2018, an average of almost 105 political gatherings were reported during each fortnight whereas 325 such gatherings were 3

4 observed during the last fortnight of May, The graph below presents a comparison of observed political gatherings held during each reporting period. Political Gatherings on Rise January to March 2018 (Average per Fortnight) April 1 to April (Average per Fortnight) May 1 to May May 16 to May Types of Political Gathering During the reporting period, political parties organized various types of political gatherings, largely campaigning events, ranging from small-scale corner meetings (107) to large-scale jalsas (97) in various towns across the four provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Corner meetings figured most prominently in Punjab (58) and Balochistan (18), while most of the observed jalsas were organized in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (37) and Punjab (33). As the observation time period coincided with Ramadan, political gatherings also took the form of Iftar parties (25). Moreover, political parties arranged rallies (17), protests/sit-ins (14) as well as press conferences (20) to convey political messages. The following graph illustrates the regional distribution of different types of political gatherings observed by FAFEN during the reporting period: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa FATA ICT Punjab Sindh Balochistan Iftar Party Corner Meeting Dharna Jalsa Other Political Gathering Press Conference Protest/Sit-in Rally 4

5 4.2 Objective/s of Political Gatherings The majority of observed political gatherings (62% or 202) were political events intended to mobilize voters ahead of the General Elections. Nearly six percent or 21 gatherings took place in the form of protests against various political figures and/or government institutions. Among these, nine protests were against a controversial statement by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif regarding the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. These protests were arranged by PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) and Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) in various cities of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI organized a protest against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Lower Dir while a group of citizens protested in Nowshera against unavailability of natural gas. In Chaman and Lasbela, Awami National Party (ANP) organized a protest against recent delimitation of electoral constituencies while, in Pishin, PTI protested over the blockage of National Identity Cards (NICs) by NADRA. In Hyderabad, PPP, Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QWP) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) respectively held protests against water and power shortages, political victimization and lack of basic amenities. JI also protested against water shortage in various parts of Karachi. In the run up to GE 2018, political leaders and activists were also seen shifting their political affiliations. Of the observed political gatherings, 15 (5%) were arranged by various political figures to announce change of political parties. Other objectives of political gatherings included demands for changes in the boundaries of electoral constituencies or administrative units and announcement or inauguration of development schemes. In Musakhel, JI and PkMAP held protest rallies to demand revision in the recent delimitations. Twelve development schemes six each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab were inaugurated, which included construction projects for roads, hospitals and schools, and provision of natural gas. The following table presents the regional distribution of the objectives of the political gatherings observed during the reporting period: Purpose of Political Gathering Khyber Pakhtu nkhwa FATA ICT Punjab Sindh Balochi stan Overall Events to announce shifting of political parties Change in Electoral/Administrative Boundaries Miscellaneous

6 Purpose of Political Gathering Khyber Pakhtu nkhwa FATA ICT Punjab Sindh Balochi stan Overall Preparation for Jalsa Press Conference Protest Against Governments/ State Institutions Workers or Voter Mobilization/Worker Meeting/Social Media Convention Announcement/ Inauguration of Development Schemes Overall APPRAISAL OF VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS BY PARTY REPRESENTATIVES FAFEN s District Coordinators asked political party representatives about the ECP s adherence to the law in the voter registration process. Of the 731 party representatives interviewed during the reporting period, the majority (83% or 605) expressed satisfaction with the ECP s voter registration efforts, while 105 (14%) said they were dissatisfied with the ECP on voter registration process. The remaining 21 respondents (3%) showed indifference to the voter registration efforts. The level of dissatisfaction with the ECP s voter registration process has decreased from 18% at the time of General Update-I (January to March 2018) to 14% during last fortnight of May The graph below shows the reduced dissatisfaction of party representatives with the voter registration process over the last four reporting periods. Reported Dissatisfaction with Voter Registration Process (Trend over Jan-May 2018) % 17% 15% 14% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0 January to March 2018 April to April May 1 to May May 16 to May % Total Interview Dissatisfied with Voter Registration Process 6

7 5.1 APPRAISAL OF NIC REGISTRATION PROCESS (MRV Facility) by Party Representatives FAFEN s District Coordinators also inquired about the support from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA s) in registering NICs. When asked about NADRA s cooperation regarding the requisitioning of Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) for facilitating NIC registration in their areas, 326 of the 731 (45%) party representatives stated that NADRA did not help them in acquiring MRVs. A majority of these representatives (84) belonged to Balochistan. Around 290 (40%) representatives were satisfied with the provision of MRV service by NADRA. As many as 115 claimed to have never asked for the facility. Reported Dissatisfaction with MRV Facilitation for NIC Registration (Trend Jan-May 2018) % 44% 45% 42% January to March 2018 April to April May 1 to May May 16 to May % 48% 47% 46% 45% 44% 43% 42% 41% 40% 39% Total Interview NADRA is not Providing MRVs The following table presents region-wise distribution of parties feedback on NADRA s efforts to issue NIC through MRV facility during the last fortnight of May: Region NADRA is not Providing MRVs NADRA is Providing MRVs Never Asked for Overall Punjab Balochistan Sindh Khyber Pakhtunkhw a FATA ICT Overall

8 6. POLITICAL ALIGNMENTS AND ALLIANCES AT DISTRICT LEVEL FAFEN observers reported a total of 63 political realignments or shifting of political loyalties in 30 districts across the country and two agencies of FATA during the second half of May The majority of political-switching and alignments (31) were reported from Punjab, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (17), Sindh (8), ICT (3), FATA and Balochistan (two each). These realignments emerged in the form of individual political leaders switching political parties, politically influential groups realigning their political loyalties or formation of alliances between different political parties. The statistics reported here are not exhaustive and comprise of reports received from FAFEN observers as well as data gathered from media sources. 6.1 Party-Switching by Political Figures The data received from FAFEN observers and collected through media monitoring reveals that 38 party-switching took place across the country during the reporting period. A province-wise analysis of shifts in political affiliations shows that the PTI gained the most in Punjab during the second half of May. In 22 instances of partyswitching in Punjab, 17 political leaders from PML-N and PPP announced joining PTI. This party-switching took place in Chakwal, Gujrat, Khushab, Lahore, Multan, Narowal, Rahimyar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sialkot and Lodhran. On the other hand, the PML-N received a political leader from PTI in Khushab while three PML-N leaders joined PPP in Rahim Yar Khan. A PML-N leader in Chakwal announced leaving the party due to his differences with party leadership. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, political leaders switching their parties landed in the JUI-F, PTI, JI, PPP and TLP camps. Two PPP leaders from Lakki Mawrat and one ANP leader from Tor Ghar announced joining JUI-F. A PTI leader in Peshawar also announced his support for TLP after parting ways with the party, while a JI leader joined PTI in Buner. Moreover, JI and ANP leaders in Lower Dir joined PPP while one ANP leader joined JI in the same district. In Sindh, a National Party leader joined PPP in Naushero Feroz while a founding member of PTI quit the party to join PSP. Similarly, a PML-F leader from Tando Muhammad Khan shifted to PTI. In Khairpur, a PML-F leader joined PPP while a PPP leader landed in PTI in Kashmore. PML-N leaders announced joining PTI in three various political gatherings in Islamabad while an Independent lawmaker joined PTI in Kurram agency. 8

9 9

10 6.2 Party Shifting by Influential Factions/Groups This section presents findings on district-level shifting of politically influential factions, such as trade unions, political and professional organizations, clans, tribes, etc. Most of these factions joined PTI or announced to remain independent. Some groups were observed changing their old political affiliations and forging new alliances with electorally powerful Biradaris or families/clans. Regionally distributed highlights are given below: A faction of Chakwal's Pehlwan group announces support for PML-N A local leader from Mutlan's Cantonment area joins PPP along with his Biradari Former PML-N MNA announces forming a new party called `Pakistan Human Party' Wattoo family of Village 57 SP announces support for local PTI leader Rana Ali Raza Group forges alliance with Dewan Azmat Chishti in Pakpattan and announces support for him Gaman Bradri in Tehsil Liaqat Pur, Rahim Yar Khan announces support for PML- N Solangi and Sipra Biradris in Rahim Yar Khan's area Noore Wali announce support for PTI Three local political leaders in Union council Dhilum Kahlon Tehsil Pasrur announce joining PTI Former Naib Nazim of Muzafarpur Shumali along with his entire Biradari announces to join Rokhri group after leaving Sher Afgan group in Mianwali Local Influentials in Village Banda Qazi, Abbottabad formerly affiliated with PTI announce fielding an Independent candidate for PK-38 Local Influentials of Union Council Salhad, Abbottabad join PML-N Local Influentials of Bandi Attai Khan, Abbottabad join PML-N Famous Poet Akhtar Azam of Chitral joins PTI 10

11 Local influentials of Kandiya Valley and Dubair Valley forge an electoral alliance to field a joint candidate in NA-11 A group of General Councilors of village Palusa Hussain Zai in Tor Ghar announces support for ANP Local influentials of `Rukhna Drangal area in Lower Dir announce support for PTI Local influentials in village Sangoli of Lower Dir announce joining PPP A member of Villlage Council Mula Banda in Lower Dir announces support for ANP Malik Asad Group and Sikandar Group of PPP in Jamshoro form alliance to show strength for party ticket Wagan and Khosa biradris forge alliance with PPP in UC Nim Wara Khosa, Noor Pur in Naushero Feroz Local Influential announces support for Jamali Panel (Z) in Jaffarabad Feroz Khel tribe in Lower Orakzai Agency, previously affiliated with PML-N, announces support for PTI 6.3 Formation of Alliances between Political Parties This section presents findings on the formation of district-level alliances between various political parties/groups. In Karachi East, JUI-F, JI, JUI-N, Jamiat Ahle-Hadees and Tehreek-e-Islami agreed to field one candidate under the platform of MMA. In Quetta, newly formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) announced an electoral alliance with Balochistan Mutahida Mahaz (BMM) while Qaumi Mahaz merged with PML-N in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Region District Formation of Alliances Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Swabi Swabi Qaumi Mahaz merges with PML-N Sindh Balochistan Karachi East Quetta Religious parties including Jamiut Ulma-e-Islam, Jamiat-e- Ulma-e-Pakistan, Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan, Jamiat Ahle- Hadees, and Tehreek-e-Islami decide to unite under MMA platform Chairman Balcohistan Muttahida Mahaz (BMM) announces merger with Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) 11

12 7. MEDIA MONITORING: INAUGURATION OF DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES AND POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS During the second half of May, three provincial governments issued 67 advertisements to 11 national and regional dailies while 14 advertisements were issued to four regional papers by the Federal Government. The numbers of ads issued by each government to various newspapers are as follows: Newspaper/Advertiser Govt. of Punjab Govt. of Pakistan Govt. of Sindh Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Total Nawa-i-waqt Express Dawn Daily Times Jang Express Tribune The Nation 6 6 Pakistan Today 4 4 Dunya 1 1 Nai Baat 1 1 The News 1 1 Overall The Punjab government released 60 advertisements to the press while five advertisements were released by the Sindh government and two by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Punjab government ads appeared in 11 newspapers; 18 in Nawa-i-Waqt, nine in Dawn, seven in Daily Times, six each in the Nation and the Jang, five in Express, four in Pakistan Today, two in the Express Tribune and one each in Nai Baat, Dunya and The News. Five Sindh government ads were published in Dawn, Jang, Express Tribune, Express and Jang while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government s two ads appeared in Nawa-i- Waqat and Dawn. Through these advertisements, the Punjab government shared its agenda and programs in various developmental sectors, including power, transportation and infrastructure development, health, and women s development. Sindh government focused on women s development while communication sector and youth internship 12

13 program featured prominently in advertisements by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. The following table presents the thematic interests of various advertisements issued by three provincial governments and the federal government during the last fortnight of May. Theme Punjab Sindh Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Federal Government Agriculture 3 3 Overall Health Infrastructure Loan to Doctors 3 3 Power and Energy 9 9 Public interest Saving electricity Water and Sanitation 3 3 Women Development Youth Employment 1 1 Overall FAFEN monitors also identified 26 development projects being announced, approved or inaugurated during the reporting period. As many as 19 news items appearing in the national press reported 14 federal projects, seven projects in Punjab, four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Sindh. The outgoing Prime Minister inaugurated five development projects during the last fortnight of his tenure. Located in various regions, these projects included a Polytechnic Institute, a building for Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, Gojra Toba Tek Singh Motorway, Havelian Thakot Motorway, and a Youth Development Project for FATA. Moreover, he donated PKR 100 million for a Cancer hospital in Karachi. The country s top development planning body, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), also approved six infrastructure projects in the power, health and education sectors during the last days of the government. Additionally, the Capital Development Authority, responsible for Islamabad s development, cleared a road construction project for the capital. NADRA also opened an Executive Passport Centre in Gujrat while Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences notified free diagnostic testing services for patients coming to its Emergency Care department. Chief Minister of Punjab inaugurated the test-run of Orange Line Metro Train and Institute of Neuro Sciences in Lahore and expansion of Racep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh. Moreover, the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved three development projects including upgradation of District Headquarter Hospitals in the province, expansion of emergency medical services to tehsils and 13

14 construction of Kasur Sports Complex in Kasur. Lahore Development Authority (LDA) also approved a road-widening project for Lahore. Moreover, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa handed over rickshaws to ten unemployed youth in FATA under a National Bank of Pakistan scheme, while the Provincial Cabinet Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approved an internship scheme for youth in the province and also approved a risk allowance for police officers along with a technical allowance for government engineers. In Sindh, the government inaugurated a Chest Pain Unit in Lyari General Hospital during its last days while PPP s Aseefa Bhutto Zardari distributed food packages among needy people in Karachi. 8. PRE-ELECTION POSTINGS AND TRANSFERS FAFEN s District Coordinators observed 27 postings and transfers in 11 government departments across the country during the months of April and May In Balochistan, the District Commissioners of Khuzdar, Kharan and Panjgur were replaced while District Education Officer of Kohlu and District Health Officer of Dera Bugti were each transferred. In FATA s Bajaur Agency, the Political Administration replaced a Tehsildar in Bar Chamar Kand tehsil. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two senior educationists were transferred from their respective schools to others in Abbottabad while three Judicial Officers (a Civil Judge, a District and Sessions Judge and a Magistrate) were transferred from their respective districts (Shangla, Mardan and Mansehra) to other districts (Abbottabad, Haripur and Upper Kohistan). Moreover, a transfer was also made in the office of Additional Director, Director of Transit Trade Peshawar. In Punjab, two District and Sessions Judges were transferred to Chakwal and Muzaffargarh while the Senior Medical Officer of District Headquarter Hospital Pakpattan and the Station House Officer of Chowk Azam Police Station, Layyah were replaced. Furthermore, transfers were also made in the offices of District Excise and Taxation Officer, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance) in Mandi Bahauddin. In Sindh, Deputy Commissioners of Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan and Umer Kot, District Education Officer of Kashmore, District Election Commissioner of Sanghar and Deputy Superintendent Police of Sanghar were replaced. 9. ALLOCATION OF ELECTION SYMBOLS The ECP notified the allocation of election symbols to 101 political parties and two combinations of political parties on June 4, The combinations of political parties include Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan (MMAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance 14

15 (GDA). The former is an electoral alliance among four parties, namely JUI-F, JI, Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan (JAH) and Islami Tehreek Pakistan (ISP) while the latter is an alliance among PMLF, NPP, People s Muslim League Pakistan (PML-P) and Pakistan People s Party Workers (PPP-W). The list of political parties available on the ECP s website shows 117 parties listed with the Commission. As per the provisions of the Elections Act, 2017, all political parties or a combination of political parties listed with the ECP may apply for the allocation of distinct election symbols for a general election provided that they have submitted the following documents to the ECP before filing an application for election symbol: A copy of the constitution of the political party A list of at least two thousand members with their signatures or thumb impressions along with copies of their National Identity Cards, A consolidated statement of the political party s accounts Proof of deposit of listing fee (i.e. PKR 200,000). Report of audit of the political Certificate of the Intra-party elections party s accounts A certificate signed by an office-bearer authorized by the Party Head stating that a) no funds from any source prohibited under the Elections Act 2017 were received by the political party; and b) the statement contains an accurate financial position of the political party Following the scrutiny of the nominated candidates and issuance of the final list of candidates in the constituencies, the Returning Officers will allot election symbols to each candidate based on their party affiliations. A candidate who has submitted a party s ticket will be allotted the symbol allocated to the party while independent candidates will be allotted symbols from the remaining options available in the ECP s List of Election Symbols. Under the Act, the symbols allotted to the candidates should be visibly different and distinct. However, several symbols so far allocated to the political parties may confuse voters. For instance, Awami Workers Party (AWP) and Ittehad-e-Ummat Pakistan (IUP) have been allocated Bulb and Energy Saver respectively, which are quite similar to each other. The following table comprises of a list of such symbols which may be hard for some voters to differentiate between: Sr. No. Potentially Confusing Election Symbols Political Parties Tyre 2. Wheel 1. Human Hand 2. Fist 1. Energy Saver 2. Bulb 1. Tree 2. Date Tree 1. Chiragh 2. Candle 1. Bat 2. Batsman 1. Amun Taraqqi Party 2. Jamhoori Watan Party 1. PPP(SB) 2. Awam League 1. Ittehad-e-Ummat Pakistan 2. Awami Workers Party 1. PkMAP 2. Pakistan Freedom Party 1. QWP 2. MQM Pakistan 1. PTI 2. PTI (Nazriati) 15

16 10. ECP SHARES LIST OF PROPOSED POLLING STATIONS WITH RETURNING OFFICERS Under Section 59 of the Elections Act, 2017, the Commission is responsible to provide the Returning Officers (ROs) with lists of proposed polling stations for each constituency within one week following the ROs appointment, i.e. till May 14, The ECP informed the public on May 24, 2018 that it has supplied the lists to ROs. FAFEN contacted 19 District Election Commissioners (DECs) to verify the status of provision of these lists to ROs. According to four of the 19 DECs, the lists were dispatched to the concerned ROs within due time whereas the remaining 15 DECs sent the lists with a delay ranging between one and seven days. Timely provision of these lists to the ROs is important for the finalization of polling stations as delays in the supply of proposed lists may deprive them of the time required for physical verification of polling stations. The Preliminary List of Polling Stations, to be prepared following physical verification of polling stations, must be finalized within 15 days of the supply of proposed lists. In line with legal requirements, the ECP also uploaded the lists of proposed polling stations on its website and invited political parties and voters to verify the polling stations and suggest changes, if any, to the District Returning Officers. The Commission is also required to supply the copies of final electoral rolls for all the electoral areas within a constituency to the concerned ROs. However, the ECP has yet to release publicly available information regarding the provision of electoral rolls to ROs. 11. ECP S ROLE IN ENFORCING ELECTIONS ACT, 2017 The ECP has actively pursued the enforcement of the Elections Act, 2017 for the conduct of GE The Commission directed the provincial/regional administrations to provide basic facilities such as water, ramps for wheel-chair bound voters, washrooms and boundary walls at 6,964 polling stations where these amenities were missing. Prior to this, the ECP conducted a country-wide survey of polling stations to identify stations where the above-mentioned facilities were missing. In a meeting held with the provincial chief secretaries, the Commission directed them to provide the missing amenities at 6,964 polling stations lacking these facilities. In another directive, the ECP instructed the provincial administration of extending their complete cooperation to ROs in discharge of their election duties while taking notice of complaints of non-cooperation in some districts of Punjab. In pursuance of enforcing bans on appointments in government departments and development schemes following the announcement of the Election Program, the ECP also took notice of reports concerning the appointment of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Chairman and asked the government to withhold the appointment till elections. 1 The ECP notified the appointment of ROs on May 7,

17 11.1 Codes of Conduct for Elections The ECP has issued the Codes of Conduct for Polling Staff, Observers and Security Personnel. According to the Elections Act, 2017, the Commission is required to issue the following Codes of Conduct: Codes of Conduct for Political Parties, Contesting Candidate, Election Agents and Polling Agents Code of Conduct for Security Personnel Code of Conduct for Media Code of Conduct for Observers According to the law, the Commission must frame the first of these codes in consultation with political parties, publish them in the gazette, and post them on its website. Of 117 political parties registered with the ECP, the Commission invited 20 parliamentary parties for a consultation on the code, convened on May 31, 2018 in Islamabad. 17

18 ANNEXURE-I List of Parties Claiming Electoral Intimidation or Harassment Region District Name of Political Parties Bahawalnagar Bahawalpur One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Pakistan Awami Tehreek, One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League, One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan Bhakkar One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan Faisalabad Gujrat One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan Punjab Kasur Lahore One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League, One Representative from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan Lodhran Nankana Sahib One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) One Representative from Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Narowal One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan Pakpattan Sargodha One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League One Representative from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Sheikhupura One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan Sindh Sialkot Dadu One Representative from Pakistan Sunni Tehreek One Representative from Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Two Representative from Sindh United Party 18

19 Region District Name of Political Parties Ghotki One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) Hyderabad Jacobabad Jamshoro Karachi Central Karachi East Karachi South Karachi West Khairpur Korangi Malir Naushero Feroze Nawabshah One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaniat One Representative from Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, One Representative from Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (F) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Sindh United Party One Representative from Pak Sarzameen Party One Representative from Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan One Representative from Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan One Representative from Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan, One Representative from Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan One Representative from Pak Sarzameen Party One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) and One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan, One Representative from National Peoples Party, One Representative from Pak Sarzameen Party and One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaniat Two Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (F) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Two Representatives from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian One Representative from Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Sindh United Party One Representative from Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (F) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) One Representative from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian One Representative from Sindh United Party 19

20 Region District Name of Political Parties Balochistan Sanghar Shahdadkot T.M. Khan Chagai Jaffarabad Jhal Magsi Kohlu One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (F) One Representative from Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F) One Representative from Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto) One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Other Political Parties (Not Listed with the ECP) One Representative from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf One Representative from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (Patriots ) One Representative from Balochistan National Party One Representative from Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F) One Representative from Pakistan Muslim League (N) One Representative from Pakistan Peoples Party One Representative from National Party Loralai One Representative from Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Overall 73 Representatives of political parties in 37 districts claimed that their party leaders or workers were being intimidated or harassed. 20