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Controversies in the Sindh LG elections, according to Fafen, “do not augur well” for the general elections.
The Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) stated on Thursday that the recent Sindh local government elections were marred by controversies that “do not augur well,” particularly as political parties gear up for general elections.
In an observation report, Fafen noted that many of the disputes surrounding the LG elections were caused by flaws in the electoral laws, and that these issues needed to be resolved through negotiations between all political players.
“The process of democratisation will continue to deteriorate, as will public confidence in democracy and its capacity to enhance the social and economic well-being of the people,” the report said.
At the same time, the Election Commission of Pakistan needs to open up to political actors and address their legitimate concerns, the report added.
The report further noted that an “impressive number” of voters turned up in Badin, Jamshoro, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, and Malir district while the turnout in Karachi Central, Karachi East, Karachi West, Karachi South, Korangi, Hyderabad, and Kemari districts was “relatively low”.
It also noted that the voting process remained orderly, unlike the first phase of the LG polls. However, it added that legal and procedural irregularities concerning campaigning inside and around polling stations, and the ballot issuance process were observed during the first phase persisted during the second as well.
“Fafen observers noted omissions and inadequacies in the polling station result forms (Form 11) recurring during the second phase. They reported cases where presiding officers did not duly fill out the result forms leaving empty sections made for recording polling stations’ names, registered voters, gender-disaggregated number of votes polled, and signatures of polling officials.”
The report recommended ensuring stricter enforcement of the code of conduct regarding campaigning and canvassing on election day, setting up adequately spaced polling booths, compliance with the voter identification and ballot issuance processes, availability of female staff at female polling booths, and provision of basic facilities at polling stations before the general elections to improve polling day management.
