ISLAMABAD, July 15: Pattan Development Organization on Friday launched its ‘Analysis of Local Election 2005’ project to study and analyze the forthcoming local government polls. The research project, estimated to cost Rs30 to Rs40 million, is aimed at bringing forth scholarly research for a better understanding of electoral processes and issues that impede or promote democratization, governance and local development.

Other objectives of the project, being carried out in collaboration with the European Union and USAID, include studying of voting patterns and influences with special reference to gender, class and other identities; assessing fairness of the electoral processes and gauging general public’s perceptions; analyzing the role of election authorities and bringing difficulties to their notice; analyzing role and relationship of political parties and highlighting public policy issues for electoral reforms and democratization.

Under the project, Pattan would be coming up with socio- economic and district profiles of 25 districts; 60 case studies of women councillors and nazims; a substantive report on women voters and candidates, role of civil society organizations, political parties in electoral processes; three substantive reports on survey research; 12 brief reports based on survey research; 12 media analysis reports and a comprehensive project completion report besides setting up of a media centre to facilitate journalists covering the polls.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pattan’s National Coordinator Sarwar Bari said the impact of a similar assessment of last local government polls held in 2001 was not very substantial as they failed to convince the authorities to give up indirect elections for nazims, which resulted in rigging and manipulation.

Another objective of the study was to seek strengthening of the Election Commission, he said, hoping that the study would help create a database for more research in the field.

A positive outcome of the local government elections, he said, was integration of groups across the confines of ethinicity, sectarianism and political affiliations.

Mr Bari was of the opinion that the political parties lacked penetration and outreach to be effective at the grass-roots level. He feared more likelihood of tension, violence and rigging in the forthcoming polls compared to the last elections because the stakes were much higher now and all stakeholders were more actively involved.