ISLAMABAD, May 30: Terming the elections 2013 significantly better than the previous ones, a civil society organisation on Thursday, however, said the role of returning officers (ROs) remained questionable in some areas from where the actual results did not reach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Pildat termed the general elections 2013 technically better than the previous ones. The ‘quality of election’ during pre-poll phase was rated at 62 per cent and that on the polling day and post-poll phase at 47 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, the secretary general of Pildat, while launching its report, “Assessment of the quality of general elections 2013”, said there had been two different views about the polls: one saying that it had been the worst ever in the history of Pakistan and the other claiming these were the best one.

Despite positive remarks about the elections, Mr Mehboob expressed doubts about the authenticity of the results reaching the returning officers from the stations and then the ECP from the ROs in some constituencies.

“The lessons learned must be rectified in the expectedly upcoming local government elections,” he added. “We also need certain technical changes in the system as the ROs could be from any department and not necessarily from the judiciary.”

Incidentally, while the Pildat report termed the overall election process satisfactory, it also carried concerns shown by the PTI, PPP, MQM, PML-N, PML-F and ANP. The JUI-F and Balochistan National Party charged that the elections were manipulated to defeat them.

The assessment of quality report has 17 parameters in the pre-polls section which included the impartiality of armed forces and intelligence agencies compared to 2008 and 2002.

The report said in the scale of 1 to 5, the impartiality of armed forces in 2013 elections was three compared to one in both the previous elections.

The report also highlighted that the effective and fair scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates got two points compared to one each in the two pervious elections.

Similarly, over the subject of checking overspending by candidates, the performance of the ECP had been twice efficient at two points compared to one in 2008 and 2002.

On the issue of conducive law and order, the report said it was at point three in 2013, three in 2008 and slightly better at four points in 2002.

While Mr Mehboob criticised the last-minute changes in the polling schemes for creating hassle for voters and doubts after the announcement of results, the report gave four points to the arrangements for voters. The same topic got two points each for the previous two elections.

Giving his input over the election results, Sarwar Bari, the board member Fafen, highlighted flaws in the announcement of the results.

Mr Bari showed a copy of Form XIV downloaded from the ECP website, where it was written by the presiding officer that the total number of valid votes was 982. “But if you calculate the votes written at this form the total valid votes are 998,” Mr Bari said. “Many presiding officers have submitted form XIV on plain paper and the ECP has not taken any action against them.”

However, Ejaz Shafi Gilani gave a presentation on the Gallop Survey of 56 National Assembly constituencies which showed 50 per cent female and 60 per cent male turnout. One third of those who cast their votes were between 18 and 24 years of age.

Moderating the session, Javed Jabbar said the casting of votes had been around 55 per cent in 2013 elections which was a healthy sign. “But we need to think why the remaining 45 per cent not exercised their right. It is needed to promote democracy in the country.”