Following the National Reconstruction Bureau's announcement of the abolishment of Separate Electorate System for October 2002 general elections, the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) Pakistan has observed and noted various obstacles towards a fair and free election.

According tothe NCJP's report issued in July 2005, there was confusion over the reform of Joint Electorate System (JES) which has lead to a contradictory interpretation and inconsistent application of the regulations. In some districts, it was observed that the electoral officers refused to enrol Christian candidates for seats, while this was allowed in other districts. This deprived hundreds from the minority communities their right to candidature for seats open to all citizens.

At the recent Local Bodies Elections held on 18 and 25 August, it was noted positively that the JES has also been restored accordingly in the local level. However, the NCJP has made some observations and recommendations on the situation.

Among the observations were poor polling arrangements, marginalization of minorities due to lack of clarity about the new scheme, poll rigging, violence and administrative issues like missing names of candidates and poor paper printing, as well as women being barred from voting in some provinces. In response, the NCJP made recommendations to ensure fair and manipulation-free electoral process: they suggested to establish a permanent multi-member Election Commission; ensure that officers and other personnel on polling are well-informed about the rules of the system; serious checking of electoral rolls; voter's awareness campaign prior to the election and punishment for those who violate code of conduct and participation of women.

The NCJP has been fighting for justice and for the principle of equality of all citizens in the electoral system for many years and will continue to work on the various obstacles observed.

In March 2000, Hotline Asia issued UA000313(4) to support the local people's call to abolish the unjust Separate Electorate System (SES) and restore the Joint Electorate System. In January 2002, the announcement to scrap the SES was announced, which was viewed as step towards the full justice in the electorate system, although it was observed that a lot more was still needed to be done in the implementation and extension to the local body elections.

Source:
World Association for Christian Communication