Karachi, March 4, 2013 (Asianet-Pakistan) – Takhleeq Foundation organized a Stakeholders Briefing on Friday at a local hotel in Karachi on Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)’s observation of forthcoming General Elections-2013 in Pakistan.

The event was attended by a large number of people belonging to different walks of life including the elected representatives, political parties’ leaders, civil society organizations activists, representatives of different minority communities i.e Hindu, Christian, Sikh etc, transgender and media personnel. Executive Director Takhleeq Foundation, Mr. Muhammad Yaqub and Senior Program Manager, Mr. Azher Ali Khan were also present on the occasion.

The main purpose of the event was to inform and brief all the stakeholders about the scope and methodology of FAFEN’s observation of the General Elections 2013 as to how the FAFEN is going to observe electoral processes in four phases. These phases include Pre-pre election period (Early Campaigning at district level through DLTOs), Pre-pre election period (Early Campaigning at district level through DLTOs), Election Day (Polling Processes at polling station level through STOs), Post-Election (From Polling Day to 120th Day of Election at district level through DLTOs).

Mrs. Ayesha Rahim, Director Programs Takhleeq Foundation, welcomed all the participants and Mrs. Sadiqa Salahuddin, member Board of Trustees-FAFEN conducted the proceeding of the event.

Mrs. Sadiqa Salahuddin shared FAFEN’s history and background. After that FAFEN’s representative, Mr. Abdul Ahad gave his presentation in which he shared information related to Women Voter Mobilization in 0% Turnout Polling Areas, Campaign for Registration of Women Voters, Nationwide CNIC Registration Campaigns, Observation of By-Elections, Candidate Forums in all Constituencies for Agreements on Observing Code of Conduct, Stakeholders Dialogue on Need and Importance of Domestic Election Observation, Citizens Infrastructure for General Election Observation, Observation of General Election 2013, Advocacy for Electoral Reforms and CVP Grants on Election Related Themes.

At the end, the floor was open for comments and suggestions of the participants. The participants raised questions regarding observation of elections. Further discussion was held on democratic rights and freedom of expression, especially related to the will of the people and also the Electoral contributing factors that are hindering FAFEN’s participation in different regions of Pakistan, and the initiatives taken by invited speakers from concerned departments and political parties to resolve the same issue.

Reviews of all the guest speakers were concluded upon sharing recommendations about taking necessary initiatives that ensure votes will be cast freely and counted accurately and an independent control system ensuring credibility of the process.

MNA S.A Iqbal Qadri of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) , MPA Nusrat Sehar Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), MPA Saleem Khursheed Khokhar of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Taj Haider of PPP, Bashir Jan of Awami National Party (ANP), Gulzar Soomro of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, Naeem Adil Shaikh of Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Muslim Pervez of Jammat-e-Islami, Umer Sadiq of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Syed Yousuf Agha of Pakhtoonkhuwa Milli Awami Party, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah of Sindh United Party, Basharat Mirza of Pakistan Democratic Party, Muhammad Haleem of JUP, Former MPA Michael Javaid, Syed Nadeem Haider of Election Commission of Pakistan, Mahraj Ram Nath of Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir, Sardar Ramesh Singh of Pakistan Sikh Council, Father Bishop Ijaz Inayat representing Christian Community, Rifee Khan of Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA) were also amongst the distinguished guests.

For more details, please contact:
Sheerin Soomro
Takhleeq Foundation
Tel: 021-34130313-14
Fax: 021-34130315
Email: info@takhleeqfoundation.org