ISLAMABAD: Days after the government ordered investigations into the allegations of an expelled member of the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), the network on Wednesday rejected the accusations, including claims of poll data fudging and secret funding for the electoral body officials.

Speaking at a press conference members of the national and executive councils of Fafen called it a conspiracy to damage Pakistan’s most credible and independent voice on the quality of elections and governance.

Members of Fafen’s national and executive councils present at the press conference included Malik Shabaz, Sungi Development Foundation; Zahid Iqbal, Samaj Development Foundation; Farman Ali, Sudhaar Society; Jan Odhano, Community Development Foundation; Ghulam Mustafa, Farmers Development Organisation; Younis Bandhani, Baanh Baeli; Shah Nasir Khisro, Integrated Regional Support Programme; Zahid Islam, Sangat Development Foundation; Anbreen Ajaib, Bedari; Ghaffar Shah, Community Awareness Raising and Advocacy Venture Around Needs; Omer Javed, Welfare Association Jared; Mohammad Yaqoob, Takhleeq Foundation; Hameedullah Kakar, Youth Organisation; Ome-e-Kulsoom, Social Youth Council of Patriots; Nazir Ahmed Ujjan, Goth Seengar Foundation; Shahid Jatoi, Sustainable Social Development Organisation; Mossarat Qadeem, PAIMAN Alumni Trust; Nasrullah, Centre for Peace and Development; Zaheer Khattak, United Rural Development Organisation and Fouzia Hanif, Community Development Programme.

Rubbishing Sarwar Bari’s charge of unauthorised engagements with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), they said the TDEA could not incur any expense without the authorisation of its board of trustees.

Fafen members had established TDEA as an independent legal entity primarily to encourage a collective ownership in all aspects of Fafen’s programming. Mr Bari remained one of the trustees of TDEA between 2008 and 2015.

TDEA Board of Trustees approve the organisational annual budget which also includes project budgets.

The authority to approve the day-to-day activities and functions is vested in the chief executive officer (CEO), and is exercised under management policies and procedures.

Mr Bari’s insinuations that the TDEA had been “secretly” paying “huge amounts” to cover travel and accommodation expenses of ECP officials appeared to be motivated by the mala fide intent of bringing into question the integrity of a constitutional institution.

“The timing of such insinuations is a cause of concern for Fafen. The fact of matter is any engagement of TDEA with the ECP has duly been approved by the board as well as the Election Commission belying Mr Bari’s claim of secrecy and illegitimacy. Such engagements have been arranged to complement the ECP-Nadra and civil society joint campaign to enhance Women’s NIC and Voter Registration, which is being implemented by member organisations of Fafen since 2017,” the network’s members said.

Mr Bari’s Pattan Development Organisation has always been implementing such projects. All of the engagements were attended by representatives of Fafen’s member organisations including representatives of Pattan Development Organisation,” they added.

About the allegation of fabrication of 2013 general elections – National Assembly Results Analysis Report – it was stated that Mr Bari had levelled the allegation on the basis of untrustworthy sources, selective reading and deliberate oversights by intentionally ignoring the methodology of the said report that clearly stated all sources of information used in its preparation.

On allegation of misuse of funds it was stated that contrary to Mr Bari’s claims, TDEA upholds the highest standards of financial transparency and accountability. TDEA maintains all critical statutory and financial documents on its website, open to public scrutiny and its funds are regularly audited by reputed, category-A audit firms. TDEA’s annual audits and tax returns are available on its website.

On the tenure of Fafen’s Executive Council, it was explained that Fafen’s National Council in its meeting on Dec 24, 2020 had unanimously extended the tenure of the current executive council until the completion of the ongoing expansion of Fafen from a network of organisations to a network of networks.

“The fact is that Mr Bari considered the current Executive Council of Fafen as legitimate until October 14, 2021. However, when the Executive Council asked for evidence from Mr Bari to substantiate his allegations, he started to question the legitimacy of the Executive Council and levelled baseless allegations against it as well,” a member said.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2021

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