Electoral reforms project in three Abbottabad districts launched

ABBOTTABAD: Two non-governmental organisations have launched a six-month project for electoral reforms in Abbottabad, Haripur and Torghar districts of the Hazara division.
Reena Malik, deputy convener, District Electoral Reforms Group (DERG), said at press briefing here on Sunday that Fair and Free Election Network (FAFEN) though a local None-Governmental Organisation, Sahara Community Support Programme (SCSP), has launched the project.
Flanked by the members of the DERG, including Idrees Advocate and Ibrar Hussain, she said the project was aimed at launching an advocacy in the general public at grassroots level for the reforms in entire electoral process.
This included delimitation, polling scheme, voter registration, sovereignty of the election commission, elections disputes and their resolution, expenditure limits on candidates and code of ethics for observers for ensuring transparency in the elections.
The DERG members said during six months, they would hold meetings with all the stakeholders, including elected representatives, political parties, organise public seminars, media briefings and district convention.
Earlier, three-day training by the DERG members concluded here. Up to 15 members from all segments of society were selected and provided capacity building training on the subject.The members were from representatives of civil society, lawyers, journalists, political activists and women.
The participants were briefed about the existing laws. They pointed out various anomalies and the recommendations made by the FAFEN for the improvement of existing electoral system.