KARACHI, Jan 19: The Election Commission of Pakistan is planning to develop a highly sophisticated electoral management system integrating the computerized electoral rolls, list of voters and polling stations as well as availability of election results for public access through the Internet and cellular phones.

This was stated by Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Dilshad while addressing the provincial consultation election reform process workshop here on Monday. He said the commission was committed to employing the best available international practices and modern technologies for electoral administration and electoral framework.

This would enhance the credibility and transparency of elections and the election commission, besides providing better services to contesting candidates, political parties, the media, analysts and observers, he said.

At present, he said, the commission was actively involved in examining the suggestions and recommendations of national and international observer missions received after the last year’s general elections and those received from time to time from political parties, civil society and the public to make the service better.

Mr Dilshad said the strength of democracy depended not only on the richness of its elections but also on the degree to which the citizens were aware of their right and responsibilities and participate in the political process. “Elections are not merely necessary condition for democracy; they are a test of a country’s democratic health,” he said.

He said that he firmly believed that a fair, free, transparent and strong electoral system was a sign of strong unity and sovereignty of the country.

“We are moving forward on the road map of democracy wherein the role of the media, both print and electronic, and in particular civil society is of vital importance,” he said.

He said the election commission was proud of all international donor agencies, civil societies as well as the media for their contribution and active support.

Recalling his visit during the 2008 Bangladesh elections, he said that Pakistan and Bangladesh shared the eastern culture and social values apart from belonging to the same religion.

Today, the election has become the internationally accepted instrument of political change. In 1974, there were only 39 electoral democracies that is, countries where multiparty national elections took place on a regular basis. By 2008, there are at least 120 countries that can be regarded as electoral democracies in one form or another.

According to him, elections are one of the elements of a democratic process that should not be considered in isolation. The effective functioning of the electoral systems is linked to political party systems, constitutional development, the governing legislative bodies and other institutional framework issues. The success of any system also requires its free acceptance as legitimate.

There is a diverse array of systems in practice around the world and considerations their advantages and disadvantages of each is not an easy task.

He said emerging democracies often lack the institutional capacity to manage elections or educate citizens about electoral and political processes. “It is heartening to note that we seem to be in the right direction and as long as one holds the correct course, there is not much to worry,” he added.

Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh, Ch. Qamaruz Zaman and the provincial coordinator, M. Wajhi Akhtar, were also present on the occasion.—APP