FAFEN PARLIAMENT MONITOR

Transcription

1 PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF PUNJAB FAFEN PARLIAMENT MONITOR 21st SESSION May 2 May, 201 Free and Fair Election Network

2 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AM BNAP CAN CM IND JI PM PML PML-N PML-Z PNML PO PPPP PTI Motion Bahawalpur National Awami Party Call Attention Notice Chief Minister Independent Jamaat-e-Islami Privilege Motion Pakistan Muslim League Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) Pakistan National Muslim League Points of Order Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The lack of quorum persisted during 21st session of the Punjab Assembly, which saw passage of three government bills and 20 resolutions. The session was last of the third parliamentary year and continued for 15 sittings from May to May 2, 201. The cumulative duration of the sittings was 3 hours and one minute as each sitting, on average, saw a delay of 72 from its starting time and continued for two hours and 24. The Chief Minister attended two sittings and spent 80 in the House while the Leader of the Opposition was present in 14 sittings for 17 hours and 10. The Speaker presided over 70% of the proceedings, the Deputy Speaker 29% while a member of the Panel of Chairpersons acted as the Speaker for rest of the duration. The legislative agenda brought before the House comprised eight bills including an Ordinance and a Private Member's bill. The House passed three Government bills while others were referred to the relevant standing committees for further consideration. The bills passed by the House include the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority Bill 201, the Punjab Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore (Amendment) Bill The government also introduced the Local Government (Fourth Amendment) Bill 201, the Punjab Animal Slaughter Control (Second Amendment) Bill, 201 and the Punjab Poultry Production Bill 201. Moreover, the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority Ordinance, 201 was also laid before the House. The House adopted 20 resolutions, of which 17 were moved by the private members. Moreover, five Private ' resolutions were dropped due to movers' absence while one was deferred. One of the Government resolutions was to extend the Punjab Civilian Victims of Terrorism (Relief and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 201 while others praised the Orange Line Train project and government's efforts against terrorism. Two resolutions condemned the hanging of Jamat-e-Islami's leaders in Bangladesh and demanded the Government of Pakistan to award Nishan-e-Pakistan to them. The Assembly also condemned the drone attack in Balochistan and killing of a young girl in Abbottabad. Through other resolutions, the lawmakers urged the government to control Pre-Ramazan inflation, curb smuggling of agricultural products from India, ban the use of steroids for body building, take action against illegal lucky committees and sellers of unsafe drinks, check spurious pesticides, facilitate Rural Health Centers, ensure compliance of official academic year schedule, set up university for special persons, introduce chapters on Child Safety in curriculum, and ensure free vaccination for Cervical Cancer. The House discussed the resolutions regarding smuggling from India, Orange Line Train and hanging of JI leader. These discussions 38. The standing committees on Health and Local Government presented their reports on the Punjab Drugs (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 (Bill No. 41 of 2015), the Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore (Amendment) Bill 2015 (Bill No. of 201) and the Punjab Local Government (Fourth Amendment) Bill 201 (Bill No. 21 of 201). Moreover, the Assembly granted extension in time for presentation of nine reports. The House held discussion on the Annual Report of the Parks and

4 Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore for the year and the Annual Reports of Punjab Pension Fund for the year & The discussion on PHA's report lasted for only three while that on the Punjab Pension Fund lasted for 3. The lawmakers raised ten Calling Attention Notices (CANs) drawing government attention to matters related to law and order. The Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs made statements on seven of these notices while two were deferred and one was not taken up. The lawmakers submitted 54 Motions (AMs) during the session. Of these, 27 were disposed of after government's response, 25 were deferred, one was referred to the relevant committee and another was admitted for discussion. However, the discussion did not take place on the set date due to early adjournment of the sitting. Eighteen AMs were submitted by PTI, 15 by PML-N, 14 by PML, six by JI and one by PPPP. As many as 497 questions were listed for answers during the session, including 29 starred questions. The rules require the government to answer a starred question orally as well as in writing while the unstarred questions are to be replied only in writing. However, only 107 starred questions were taken up and replied on floor of the House. The lawmakers also asked 258 supplementary questions. The lawmakers raised 154 Points of Order (PO) consuming 215 of the session's duration. The issues related to the governance, security, development and business of the House were discussed on. The lawmakers submitted six Questions of Privilege during the session. Five of these were referred to the Privileges Committee while one was dropped due to mover's absence. The Assembly witnessed ten instances of protest or walkout during 21st session. The entire opposition jointly staged protest or walkout five times against the government on matters related to the business of the House and Panama Papers Leak while lawmakers belonging to PPPP and JI also registered individual protests twice. Moreover, treasury lawmakers also staged a walkout and a protest. The lack of quorum persisted throughout the session and was pointed out 13 times. Eight sittings had to be adjourned without completing their agenda due to lack of quorum while on other occasions, the quorum was completed after ringing the bells.

5 SECTION 1 SESSION TIME, ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION This section gives a statistical overview of the session covering the number of sittings, duration of sitting attendance and participation of members in the House proceedings. Total s Session Duration Average Delay Suspensions 15 3 hours

6 SITTING DATE, DURATION AND ATTENDANCE The 21st Session of the Punjab Assembly, comprising 15 sittings, started on May and concluded on May 2, 201. Each sitting, on average, started 72 behind its scheduled time and continued for two hours and 24. The longest sitting spanned over three hours and 53 and shortest over an hour and May, 201 2: at 20 2: May, 201 1: at 5 0: May, 201 1:22 at 1: May, 201 1:32 at 1: May, 201 1:5 203 at 50 1: May, : at 52 1: May, 201 1: at 40 1: May, : at 12 1:1 17

7 9 18 May, : at 30 0: May, 201 2: at 30 1: May, : at 0 1: May, 201 3:20 18 at 12 1: May, 201 3: at 12 1: May, 201 3: at 13 1: May, 201 1:49 at 1:

8 PARLIAMENTARY LEADERS ATTENDANCE S. Waseem Akhtar Sardar Shahab-ud-Din Ghulam Murtaza JI attended 10 sittings PPPP attended 9 sittings PML-Z attended 0 sittings S. Iftikhar Gillani Ch Moonis Elahi Bilal Asghar Warraich BNAP attended 0 sittings PML attended 0 sittings PNML attended 0 sittings KEY MEMBERS ATTENDANCE Rana Muhammad Iqbal Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani Mian Shahbaz Sharif Mian Mehmood-ur-Rashid SPEAKER DEPUTY SPEAKER CHIEF MINISTER LEADER OF OPPOSITION s Attended s Attended s Attended s Attended Presiding Time (hh:mm) 28:08 Presiding Time (hh:mm) 10:20 Attended Time (hh:mm) 1:20 Attended Time (hh:mm) 17:10 The Panel of Chairpersons presided over the proceeding for 12 once during the session.

9 SECTION 2 REPRESENTATION, RESPONSIVENESS AND GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT This section gives statistical as well as qualitative overview of legislator's interventions in the House Call Attention Notices (CANs), Questions, Motions (AM) or any other motions for the oversight of government and to articulate issues of public interest and importance. Questions 497 CANs Motions 10 54

10 QUESTIONS As per Rule 42 of the Punjab Assembly, the House holds a 0-minute question hour at the outset of a sitting except on the sittings falling on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and the day set for oath taking/elections of key members. A lawmaker can put up a question on a notice not less than 15 days for the purpose of obtaining information on a matter of public concern from the relevant minister. 29 * Starred Questions 497 by 83 MPAs 228 Unstarred Questions 107 Taken Up 12 Not Taken Up *The lawmakers also asked 258 supplementary questions during the session. 174 Replied 54 Not Replied QUESTIONS BY PARTY PML-N PTI PPPP PML IND PML-Z JI QUESTIONS BY MINISTRY Agriculture Auqaf and Religious Affairs Bait-ul-Mal & Social Welfare Communication & Works Cooperatives Enviornment Excise & Taxtation Department Food Health Higher Education Home Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Human Rights & Miorities Affairs Industries, Commerce & Investment Information and Culture Labour & Human Resource Law & Parliamentary Affairs Local Government & Community Development Mines & Minerals Planning and development Revenue S & GAD School Education Transport Women Development Youth Affairs, Sports, Archeology & Tourism

11 CALL ATTENTION NOTICES A lawmaker can call the attention of a minister/department head for any matter involving law and order situation or a definite matter of urgent public importance, by submitting one call attention notice per sitting. According to Rule of the Punjab Assembly, a call attention notice cannot be debated and when the question is answered, any member may ask such supplementary questions as may be necessary for the elucidation of the answers with the approval of the Speaker. The Lawmakers raised 10 Call Attention Notices (CANs) during the session of which seven were disposed of, two were deferred and one was not taken up by the House. Pending Not Taken Up 1 2 Total 10 7 Disposed off DISPOSED OF CANs About murder of six people by the unknown assassinators at Farooqabad About kidnapping and rapping of 12/13 years old girl by the unknown people at Kundian, district Mianwali About newspaper report regarding killing Rafique resident of Badami Bagh, Lahore and looting Rs. 50,000 from him by the dacoits About murder on resistance of a security Incharge naming Noor of a Rice Mill located at Kot Kizra, Gujranwala and looting Rs.5 million during a dacoity near Lohianwala by-pass About killing of Muhammad Ijaz, s/o Muhammad Hafeez after kidnapping and rapping by the unknown accusers About newspaper report regarding death of driver due to the torture by the traffic warden About newspaper report regarding assassination of person naming Hashim at Islampura, Lahore NOT TAKEN UP CANs About assassination of Ch. Shamshad Ahmad Khan (Ex-MPA and Ex-Provincial Minister) alongwith his son and friend at Kamoki, Gujranwala PENDING CANs About hanging dead body of thirteen years old boy in a ground after his murder at Kahna About newspaper report regarding found three dead bodies in waterlogging Bourn at Jaranwala, District Faisalabada

12 ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS According to the Rule 80 of the Punjab Assembly, any member may raise a motion for an adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance with the consent of the Speaker SUBJECT OF AMs Admitted for Discussion Newspaper report regarding survey conducted by an NGO, Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), about corruption in the Punjab Refer to Committee Newspaper report about interference of middleman in wheat procurement in the Punjab Pending Agriculture Department Lahore has become white elephant where thousands of field advisors were appointed to acquaint farmers with modern research to help them to obtain improved yield are receiving salaries without performing their duties Newspaper report about non-availability of clean drinking water to people of Lahore as well as of Province due to installation of substandard filtration plants Newspaper report about rectification of sewerage system in Ichhra Lahore on emergency basis which is otherwise the cause of spread of various diseases Newspaper report about dwellers of Pachad area of Rajanpur District facing problems due to the flooded water coming from Kaha Sultan and Chacharr every year and demanding renovation of drains and bourns Rectification of sewerage system in Ichhra Lahore on emergency basis which is otherwise the cause of spread of various diseases Economic plight of farmers and agriculturists of the Province who do not get desired price of their yield/crops Admitted for Discussion Disposed off Pending Refer to Committee Newspaper report about 450 agriculture scientists moved abroad for better future due to the government agriculture policies Increase of road accidents due to the incompetency of the drivers at Chiniot and its suburbs Newspaper report about protest by the farmers at Mall Road Lahore demanding reduction in the electricity and fertilizer rates and giving subsidy by the government Police torture and accusing them in FIRs on the Anjuman Muzareen Okara, which were demanding land ownership rights Newspaper report about non-provision of free medicines to the patients by the Social Welfare Department hospitals Newspaper report about illegal possession and selling expensive land of Auqaf Department with the help of Muhammad Abdullah, Patwari and Ghulam Farid, Manager Auqaf, Khanpur Circle at Moza Gallani Newspaper report about use of mobile phones in Punjab prisons Newspaper report about restriction imposed by the DFO, Jhelum for goat grazing for the locals residents Issuing bogus weapon license at Faisalabad District Erosion between Qutab Shahana and Aurangabad village due to the construction of a Qutab Shahana bridge at the concerned Member constituency Down grading status of Government College of Technology, Rasul, Mandi Bahauddin from University to College Rasul and adjusting students of the College to some other educational institution Sixteen doctors of Dental College, Multan could not able to get house job due to non-registration from PMDC

13 Newspaper report about financial corruption found in clean water and Sewerage project in Lahore due to granting of development schemes to favorite persons Newspaper report about selling of muscle-building supplements and steroid medicines at medical stores at Gujranwala Newspaper report about price hike before Holy month of Ramzan and increase in the prices of mutton and beef in Lahore Newspaper report about giving forty kanal land of Government Model Town Hospital along with machinery worth of millions to the Model Town Society by the Local Government Department Changing design of Bab-e-Pakistan, Lahore Newspaper report about shortage of fifty percent life-saving medicines in public hospitals Newspaper report about failure of Price Control Committees in controlling the price hike of the commodities at Gugranwala Refer to Committee Newspaper report about interference of middleman in wheat procurement in the Punjab

14 SECTION 3 PARLIAMENTRY OUTPUT This section deals with the legislative business, resolutions, reports and documents presented before the House during the session. Bills on Agenda 13 Reports 13 Resolutions 27

15 LEGISLATION Lawmaking on matters of public importance through rigorous debate is the most important function of a legislature. This section reviews the nature, status and consideration of government and private member legislative bills tabled during the session. Status of Government Bill Status of Private Bill 4 3 INTRODUCED PASSED Total BILLS PASSED 1. The Punjab Agriculture, Food And Drug Authority Bill, 3. The Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore 201 (Amendment) Bill, The Punjab Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 2015 BILLS INTRODUCED 1. The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority 3. The Punjab Animal Slaughter Control (Second Ordinance, 201 Amendment) Bill, The Punjab Local Government (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 4. The Forest (Amendment) Bill, The Punjab Poultry Production Bill, 201

16 RESOLUTIONS Under the Rules 114 and 129, a member or ministers may move the resolutions related to a matter of general public interest or the resolutions mentioned in the Constitution. Punjab Assembly adopted 20 resolutions during 21st session including 17 private members' resolutions. RESOLUTIONS PASSED Disposed Of Pending 2 5 Total Adopted The Punjab Assembly demands the Federal Government to impose ban on illegal import (smuggling) of the agri-equipment, cloths, jewellery and auto spare parts from other countries especially from India to boost local industry The Punjab Assembly condemns the execution of JI Bangaldesh Ameer Matiur Rehman Nizami and calls upon the federal government to raise the issue before the OIC, the UN and at the diplomatic front that Haseena Wajid government was putting JI leaders to gallows only for their love with Pakistan. The Punjab Assembly demands ban on the use of banned drugs for body building, action against its illegal manufacturing and sale of such steroids based medicines. The Punjab Assembly demands the inclusion of a chapter on Child Protection in curriculum for checking rampant child abuse. The Punjab Assembly condemns the brutal killing of a 1 years old girl on the direction of jirga in Abbotabad. The Punjab Assembly condemns the Bangladeshi Government for execution of a former Head of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Bangladesh, Motiur Rahman Nizami. The Punjab Assembly demands to ensure the provision of all missing facilities at Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and Basic Health Units (BHUs) across the Province. The Punjab Assembly demands to ensure free vaccination, treatment and test facilities for cervical Cancer. The Punjab Assembly demands effective measures to check spurious pesticides and seed of cotton crop. The Punjab Assembly demands strict action against those who sell unhygienic soft drinks in the province. The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab extends the period of validity of the Punjab Civilian Victims of Terrorism (Relief and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 201 (X of 201), promulgated on 7th March 201, for a further period of ninety days with effect from 5th June 201. In light of the successes of security forces to eradicate the plight of terrorism in the country and killing of 12 hardcore terrorists whose head money was set by government, the Punjab Assembly appreciates the efforts of General Raheel Sharif, Army Chief, Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, CM, Punjab determination against terrorism and congratulating officers and personnel of Army, Rangers, Punjab Police, ISI, MI and IB over their successful joint operation against terrorists. The Punjab Assembly condemns the US drone strike inside Pakistani territory. The Punjab Assembly recommends to award Nishan-e-Pakistan to Mullah Abdul Qadir and Mr. Qamar ul Zaman, executed last year in Bangladesh for their love for Pakistan The Punjab Assembly demands to set up University for Special Children in the Province. The Punjab Assembly demands to ensurethat all schools in the Province strictly follow provincial schedule for academic year The Punjab Assembly demands strict action against those people who are involved in lucky draws/committee, which is trap to lure people into financial bungling. Urging the government to check pre-ramazan price-hike which could neutralize the efforts to set up Ramazan bazars. The Punjab Assembly condemns the US government for its statement regarding continue of drone attacks inside Pakistan and also asking Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan to lead a national consensus for a bold stance on the issue. The Punjab Assembly thanks the Chinese Government and its people for their support to Orange Line Train Project in Lahore and appreciating the release of first tranche of Rs.33 billion by the Chinese Government for this project. The project will resolve the severe traffic problems in Lahore and also reduce pollution.

17 REPORTS The House witnessed the presentation of three reports while 9 reports were granted extension in the presentation time by the House during the session. PRESENTED REPORTS The reports of Standing Committee on Health in respect of The Punjab Local Government (Fourth Amendment) Bill the Punjab Drugs (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 (Bill No (Bill No. 21 of 201) of 2015) The Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore (Amendment) Bill 2015 (Bill No. of 201) The House granted extension in time for presentation of the following reports: The Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill issue of LDA Employees Housing Scheme, Thokar Niaz Baig 201 (Bill No. 1 of 201) raised in the reply of Starred Questions No. 29 asked by The Punjab Civil Victims of Terrorism (Relief and Mrs Ayesha Javed, MPA (W-317) Rehabilitation) Bill 201 (Bill No. 18 of 201) The Standing Committee on Education for laying its reports The Punjab Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2015 (Bill No. 39 of on Motion No.1199/2014 moved by Mr Amjad 2015) Ali Javaid, MPA (PP-8), Motion No.839/2015 moved by Mrs Azma Zahid Bukhari, MPA (PP-318) and The Punjab Drugs (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 (Bill No. 41 Motion No.1093/2015 moved by Mian Tariq of 2015) Mehmood, MPA (PP-113) The Punjab Prohibition of Sheesha Smoking Bill 2014 (Bill No. The Standing Committee on Labour and Human Resource for of 2014) laying its reports on the Punjab Prohibition of Child Labour at Matter raised by Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, MPA Leader of Bricks Kilns Bill 201 (Bill No.9 of 201) and Starred Opposition on a point of order regarding illegal Question No.302/201 moved by Mian Rafique, MPA (PPappointments in Services Hospital Lahore 90) The Special Committee No.4 for laying its report on the

18 SECTION 4 ORDER AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION Order and institutionalization is important for an efficient and productive legislature. This section provides information about Points of Order, Questions of Privilege, Quorum and any instances of walkout, protest or boycott during the proceeding. Points of Order 154 Question of Privilege 9 Protest and Walkouts 11

19 POINTS OF ORDER According to Rule 209 of the Rules of Procedures of Punjab Assembly, a point of order shall relate to the interpretation or enforcement of the Rules or the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution on regulating the business of the Assembly. The Speaker is required to give a ruling on these issues and no discussion or debate is allowed on any point of order, but the Speaker may hear a member before giving his decision. Lawmakers raised 154 Points of Order () that 215 of the session. The issues related to the business of the House, political developments, foreign relations, economic matters, governance and media were discussed on these. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th th 7th 8th 9th 10th th 12th 13th 14th 15th

20 QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE Rule 8 of the Punjab Assembly provides that a member may, with the consent of the Speaker, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the Assembly or of a Committee. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Raheela Naeem Nabela Hakim Ali Khan Ahmed Khan Baloch PML-N Not presenting reports of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act for the year , and PTI Misbehavior of Rana Farooq, Assistant Director Passport, Sahiwal PML-N Misbehavior of Col. (R) Ghulam Sarwar, Regional Incharge PASCO, Multan Ch. Shabbir Ahmed Ch Ashraf Ali Ansari PML-N Not attending phone calls of the concerned Member by the Chairperson, Technical Education Board, Lahore PML-N The officers of Higher Education Department for giving wrong answer to the

21 PROTEST AND WALKOUTS No. Party(ies) Reasons Time (Minutes) Type 1 Entire Opposition 2 Entire Opposition 3 POINTING OUT OF QUORUM The decision of the Chair to disallow an out-of-turn Motion of the Leader of the Opposition regarding Panama Leaks Against the remarks of a parliamentary secretary about the inferior status of members elected on reserved seats Walkout 3 Protest 5 Token Walkout PPPP Against the irregularities in distribution of jute bags 14 Walkout PML-N Against the Deputy Speaker who did not allow him to speak during Zero Hour 5 Walkout 9 Entire Opposition Against departure of the Chief Minister from the House without hearing them 2 Protest Against the foul language used by Provincial Law Minister 5 Protest 10 Entire Opposition Against the decision to not continue the discussion on measures of good governance Walkout 11 JI Against the government for not making commitment to ban liquor business 2 Token Walkout PML-N Against misogynistic remarks of JI lawmaker 1 Protest 14 Entire Opposition The issue of Panama Leaks Protest No. Name of Party Gender Type Speaker's Action 1 Nabela Hakim Ali Khan PTI Female Resever Women Adjourned till next sitting 2 Asif Mehmood PTI Male Elected Adjourned till next sitting 4 Shunila Ruth PTI Female Called the bells to be Rung for five, was resume 5 Nabela Hakim Ali Khan PTI Female Resever Women Adjourned till next sitting Shunila Ruth PTI Female Adjourned till next sitting 7 Saadia Sohail Rana PTI Female Resever Women Adjourned till next sitting 9 Murad Rass PTI Male Elected Adjourned till next sitting 10 Faiza Ahmad Malik PPPP Female Resever Women Adjourned till next sitting Shunila Ruth PTI Female 14 Shunila Ruth PTI Female Called the bells to be Rung for five, was resume Saadia Sohail Rana PTI Female Resever Women Adjourned till next sitting 15 Faiza Ahmad Malik PPPP Female Resever Women Asif Mehmood PTI Male Elected Called the bells to be Rung for five, was resumed

22 About FAFEN FAFEN is one of the most credible networks of civil society organizations working for strengthening citizens' voice and accountability in Pakistan since 200. FAFEN has harnessed information technology for real-time monitoring, facilitation and technical backstopping of partners for effective and result-based program delivery. FAFEN is the only civil society group to have been invited by the Judicial Commission to present the evidence of illegalities and irregularities documented through the course of General Elections 2013 Observation. The systemic and procedural issues identified by FAFEN have been acknowledged by the commission in its detailed findings. FAFEN's recommendations for electoral reforms have contributed to the work of Parliamentary Committee for Electoral Reforms. FAFEN's advocacy for parliamentary transparency, accountability and reforms has shaped public discourse on parliamentary reforms. Improved citizens' access to parliamentary information including daily public release of parliamentarians' attendance records can be directly attributed to FAFEN's work. FAFEN deployed 18,000 and 40,000 non-partisan and trained observers for the systematic observation of general election 2008 and 2013, respectively, largest citizens' observation ever undertaken in Pakistan. FAFEN's evidence and recommendations for reforms have improved the quality of public and political discourse on elections, its issues and need for reforms. Leading political parties and media houses extensively use FAFEN's election findings and analysis to build a case for reforms. With more than 1,500 followers on Twitter and around 3,000 on Facebook, FAFEN is considered one of the most reliable sources of electoral and parliamentary information in the country. I Free and Fair Election Network