pakistan election observation summary recommendations · organizing young women's groups. b....
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Pakistan
General Elections 2013
Election Observation
Summary
&
Recommendations
For Electoral Reforms
3
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Aware Girls is thankful to Australian High Commission for their financial support to the project,
FAFEN for the technical support, and Election Commission of Pakistan for facilitating Aware
Girls’ team in observing the female polling stations. The monitoring was made possible because
of the brave efforts of the young women who stood strong and observed the polling till counting
process.
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Title: Pakistan General Election 2013: Election Observation Summary And Recommendations For Electoral Reforms
All Rights Reserved. Any Part Of This Publication May Be Produced Or Translated By Duly Acknowledging The Source.
Edition: June 2013,
Aware Girls, House No 296, Street No 18, F-4, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan Email: [email protected] Website:
www.awaregirls.org
Design By: Faryal Shah
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ......................................................................................... 3
TITLE........................................................................................................................ 4
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... 5
Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 6
Aware Girls Organization ....................................................................................... 8
Rationale ................................................................................................................... 9
General summary of election overall Pakistan .................................................. 10
Methodology ........................................................................................................... 11
Election day district-wise findings ....................................................................... 12
The average turnout of the three districts overall ............................................. 22
Analysis of Data ...................................................................................................... 25
Key Recommendations .......................................................................................... 36
Additional Recommendations ............................................................................... 38
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................... 39
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Aware Girls is young women led Organization working for the empowerment of young women,
democracy and peace building in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since 2002. Aware Girls’ with
the support of Australian High Commission Islamabad observed the elections in more than 60
female polling stations of District Peshawar, Mardan, and Swabi. The purpose of the observation
was to monitor if women votes free and fairly, and to identify the issues faced by women during
elections. Aware Girls’ trained a team of around 80 young women in District Peshawar, Mardan
and Swabi as Stationary election observers, and 15 young women as mobile observers. It was a
historic moment in Pakistan, crowds of women were seen in the polling stations who were facing
the heat, humiliation, and mismanagement but were committed to poll their vote. It was obvious
that women were out to shape the democratic history of Pakistan.
The female voters turnout remain low in general in the three districts. In District Peshawar out of
the 21 polling stations observed lowest female voters turnout was 24.2% and highest female
voters turnout was 69.6%In District Swabi the lowest female voters turnout out of the 20 polling
stations observed was 20% (Swabi), while zero votes were polled in one polling station after the
local elders in the polling station forced the authorities to shut down the polling station (Sheikh
Dheri Swabi)In District Mardan out of the 25 polling stations observed there was zero turnout of
females in one polling station, it was shut down after aggressive decision of local people. The
lowest females voter turnout was 6.8% in a polling station of Swal Dheri Village.
Some of the other issues identified by Aware Girls’ team during the observations were:
1. Occupation of the polling stations through the arms (weapons) and allowing female
voters of only their specific party/candidate for polling
2. Occupation of the polling stations by the unauthorized political parties or candidates'
representatives (and Polling agents in some polling stations) and letting only women of
their political party/candidate to enter the polling booth. The polling agents (whose duty
is to observe the elections and make sure the process if followed) were doing political
mobilization inside the polling booths, forcing women to vote for their political parties,
and not in some polling station no allowing women inside the polling booth who were not
voting for their political party/candidate.
3. The polling agents were able to control the entry of women through the slips provided by
the political parties workers to the voters for their serial number identification. Female
voters with serial number slips of specific provided were given priority while others were
left behind
4. Voter mobilization happened not only within the polling stations but also inside the
polling booths
5. Quranic Oaths were taken at inside as well outside the polling stations from women to
either vote for a specific candidate or not to vote at all if women don’t vote for the
specific political party
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6. Fake votes were reported, at one polling station the stamp disappeared for some time and
fake votes were polled through it. The ballot boxes also disappeared in some polling
station at the time of counting.
7. Different political parties camps/stall were located adjacent to the polling stations where
bribes and vote selling was happening.
8. The polling staff was not well trained in different polling stations and the official polling
process was not followed in certain areas
9. In the polling stations in the most remote areas of the three districts, the polling process
not followed and voters kept on stamping votes in open thus giving the polling staff and
polling agents control over women’s vote.
10. In different polling stations, females were accompanied by polling agents as well as other
unauthorized persons within the polling booth to the secrecy screen to influence women’s
vote.
11. Incidents of unarmed conflicts were reported from all target districts, which caused delay
or pause in the polling process
12. Mismanagement was reported from almost every polling station of District Peshawar,
Swabi and Mardan. There were no female security officers to control the crowd of
women and queue them, resulting in occupation of many polling stations by the crowd of
women thus interpreting the voting process and giving opportunity to the political
workers to influence women’s vote.
13. The space in the polling stations was not enough leading to mismanagement and
overcrowding.
14. From one polling station the voter stamp disappeared for some time and fake votes were
reported
15. The election staff in some polling stations was not well equipped with skills to conduct
polling process.
16. The counting process was in generally observed as transparent except one polling station
where a ballot box disappeared.
Besides, these challenges, the positive aspect was that the voters turnout was highest in the
history of Pakistan, the election staff in most of the polling stations was committed to their duty.
It was a day which shaped the history of Pakistan democracy and the role of women has become
much more important to sustain democracy.
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AWARE GIRLS ORGANIZATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
AWARE GIRLS, a renowned organization, is led by young women dedicated to work for
women empowerment, gender equality and peace stability in Pakistan. It aims at strengthening
the leadership capacity of young women enabling them to act as agents of social change and
women empowerment in their respective communities.
1.2 VISION
AWARE GIRLS envisions a world where women-rights are as respected as human rights on an
equal footing, where women are the controllers of their own lives having equal access to
education, employment, governance, justice, legal support, financial resources, recreation, health
specifically sexual and reproductive health and social services.
1.3 MISSION
The core mission of AWARE GIRLS is to empower young women, advocate their equal rights
and to strengthen their capacity, enabling them to act as agents of women empowerment and
social change.
1.4 Values Of The Organization
Women's rights are Human rights.
Human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated.
Aware Girls affirms the full and equal enjoyment of Human rights is due to all women.
Aware Girls maintain that to securing these rights, the prerequisite is the universal
ratification and implementation without conventional reservations on the elimination of
all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW).
Peace, tolerance and pluralism are the basic pillars of human rights
1.5 Structure Of The Organization
The organization demonstrates its commitment to gender equality and female human
rights as well as concentrating on the way young girls are viewed by the society and the
way they view themselves.
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The organization is governed and directed by young women. The decision-making body,
The Board of Directors of AWARE GIRLS comprises young women. The management
of AWARE GIRLS is carried out by young female staff.
AWARE GIRLS have young women members of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of
Pakistan. The membership is open to young women ranging from age 12 to 29.
1.6 Key-Objectives
1. Women Rights and Human Rights.
2. Social, cultural, and political rights of women.
3. Sexual and reproductive health rights of young women including HIV/AIDS.
4. Peace, non-violence, tolerance and pluralism.
5. Promotion of micro-entrepreneurship in young women.
1.7 Major Activity Tools
a. Organizing young women's groups.
b. Capacity building of young women's groups.
c. Awareness anticipation.
d. Peer education and study circles.
e. Advocacy for the institutionalized protection and promotion of women- rights.
f. Holding dialogues among stakeholders on women-rights issues.
g. Networking and partnerships.
RATIONALE
The tribal and feudal norms, conventions and values are practiced in the rural areas of Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan since times immemorial till date. These feudal and tribal norms
predominantly victimize women, thus pressing them down to a very low status. Women mobility
is prohibited in the name of honour. The religious circles strongly support such values and norms
in the name of Islamic teachings. Women are prohibited to cast their votes in the election process
under the pressure of local elites and religious circles of the area. The rural women in general have
no say and participate in the political process of the country.
In the rural areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa the conventions and traditions of Pukhtoon culture are
followed religiously. Strict “parda” is observed and women's mobility is very restricted. The trends
and indicators of religious extremism are evident as the most famous Madrassas and the groups
following a specific hardliners school of thought stems from this area. Recently six NGO's teachers
were killed and polio teams were attacked in Swabi.
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However secular, liberal and democratic forces also exist but ironically those liberal voices are too
weak and in many cases these progressive and liberal forces even cannot express their point of
view and surrender to the decisions made by the carriers of patriarchal legacy.
The local elders of the community under the influence of religious groups and in some cases by
the political parties’ local leadership make decisions in order to restrict women from casting their
votes. A written agreement is signed by the elders of the area stating that no woman should be
allowed to go out of her house and cast the vote. It is considered vulgar if a woman goes out of her
house to cast vote. These forces enjoy the power and support of the so-called Jirgas to achieve
their objectives. In some cases these influential people compel the candidates to sign an agreement
to not to allow women to come out of their houses and cast their votes belonging to their respective
groups. They even compel the election staff and stop them to provide facility to any woman to cast
her vote.
The other issue witnessed in the rural areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is that women do not use
their votes according to their own choice but they follow the male members of their families and
even the male members strictly direct them to cast their votes for the candidates of their (male
members) choice.
2.1 Justification
Women are deprived of their fundamental right to cast their vote according to their choice
because women of the area are either voiceless or have a weak and lower voice. Sadly, those
who support women's participation are also suppressed. The conservative forces are successful
as no voice is raised against such forces from the community.
The election commission of Pakistan and civil society have strictly noticed the situation and
election commission of Pakistan has assured the free and transparent election process in the next
general elections.
There is a need to strictly observe the process of election, especially the process of facilities and
environment provision for women in order to enable them to cast their vote according their own
choice free of any fear and interference.
2.2 Objectives
i. To strengthen capacity of civil society organizations, media, bar associations and
community activists to monitor the free and fair process of women voting during the
general elections in Swabi, Charsadda and Peshawar.
ii. To monitor, oversee and watch the women voting process during the general elections and
develop reports and share with election commission of Pakistan and other stakeholders.
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GENERAL SUMMARY OF ELECTION OVERALL PAKISTAN
A relatively strong democratic commitment was demonstrated in the 2013 general elections in
Pakistan, by the state authorities, political parties and voters. Despite the threat of militant attacks,
and procedural shortcomings, a highly competitive electoral process was witnessed this time. A
marked increase in voter turnout was seen for the first time in the history of Pakistan’s electorate.
However, fundamental problems remained unchanged. The ECP fell short of legal framework and
the implementation of certain provisions, leaving future processes vulnerable to malpractice. The
state, in general, failed to meet the obligations to provide citizens the right and the opportunity to
stand as candidates and to vote.
METHODOLOGY
Keeping the security issues in consideration , female observers were assigned to the polling
stations which were nearest to their residences. The polling station scheme for Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa was announced only a few hours before the main election day and it was not
possible to cater every polling station, therefore, with the collaboration of FAFEN, assigning of
the polling stations were on the basis of no-replication between FAFEN and AWARE GIRLS
observers. The strategy adopted was that the polling station being observed by FAFEN was not
to be observed by AWARE GIRLS observers.
The assigning of the polling station process was carried out constituencies-wise data of 2008
election conducted by FAFEN which comprised polling station’s name, number, polling booths
count, female polling booths, combined polling booths, number of registered voters, female
registered voters count in female polling stations.
4.1 Districts Observed In Election Monitoring
The working areas of AWARE GIRLS are 5 districts of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and the
task of election monitoring was observed in three out of these five major districts i.e. Peshawar,
Mardan, and Sawabi. In every district, almost 20 polling stations were being covered by our
workers through constituencies which covers the overall district.
4.2 Election Day Observation
On Election Day, 11 May 2013, the AWARE GIRLS team conducted a nationwide election
observation, following internationally recognized methodology and principles.
Nearly, 60 AWARE GIRLS polling station observers (PSOS) witnessed and recorded the
number of ballots in a statistically-valid sample of randomly-selected polling stations in 4
National Assembly constituencies. An additional 4 mobile observer (MOS) in each district
helped to transport the “statement of the count” and PSO checklists from polling stations.
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ELECTION DAY DISTRICT-WISE FINDINGS
5.1 PESHAWAR DISTRICT
The graph depicted above shows the overall turnout in 21 polling stations under Aware Girls
monitoring to record total female voters who cast their votes. The highest rate being only 69.5%
whereas, in the last election of 2008, the same school, Government girls’ high school Tehkal
Bala showed 10% turnout. The average remains 37.8%, which shows a very low turnout in the
21 polling stations. At Peshawar polling stations, a good turnout was observed and females
responded positively to voting as they wanted a pure and fair democratic government.
The highest turnout was observed at a polling station at Tehkal Bala where for the first time
female voters came out for voting. Even the combined polling stations were also occupied by
females, their brothers and sons were coming along to get them inside the polling station. One of
male voter told us that he had brought his grandmother on his back due to old age, to cast her
vote.
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39.8
37.1
35.1
35.1
39.6
24.2
40.9
34.4
42.3
36.2
36
38
33
69.6
24.3
53.4
40.8
46.9
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29.2
Govt Girls Middle School Karimpura, Behlol Dhana
Commerce College Bilala Town
Govt Frontier College for Women
Industrial Home Corporation Colony
City Dist. Govt Degree College
Govt High School Nauthia Qadeem
Givt Girls High School Near Cofee Shop University…
Govt Girls Primary School, Near Cofee Shop (72)
Govt High School Gharib Abad, Tehkal Bala
Govt Girls Primary School, Sector D/4, Near Super…
F.G Degree College for Women, Mall Road
Govt Girls Primary School Tauki
Jica Model School Japan Basharat Market
Givt Girls Primary School J4, Hayatabad
Govt Girls High Secondary School, University Town
Govt Girls Primary School Jander Gali, Nauthia
Govt Girls Primary School No1 Din Bahar Colony,…
PESCO High School, WAPDA House
Govt Girls Primary School Hassan Ghari
Peshawar Public School, Warsak Road
Govt Girls higher Secondary School Chamkani
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5.1.1 Peshawar Monitoring
1.1 Polling Station Under Observation/Observer
S.No Name Of
Observer
Constituency Polling Station Name Polling
Station No
Registered
Votes
1. Attiya Usman NA 4 Gov. Girls Higher
Secondary School
Chamkani (Female )
220 2101
2. Syeeda Nasreen
Niaz
NA 2 Government High
School Boys Nauthia
Qadeem (Female) P*
8 1646
3. Miss Shameem NA 2 Government Girls
Primary School Jander
Gali Nauthia (Female)
12 1333
4. Sundas Shah NA 3 Peshawar Public School
Wersak Road Peshawar
279 1467
5. Lubna Shah NA 3 Gov. Primary School
Hassan Ghari
267 2133
6. Mehreen Amjad
Ali
NA 2 Government Girls
Primary School Swati
Tanki (Female)
32 1643
7. Shehla Jacoline NA 2 F. G. Degree College
Cantt Peshawar
144 1009
8. Aneesa Gul NA 2 JICA Model School 1415
9. Nisha Rehman NA 1 Commerce College Bilal
Town
60 1564
10. Namra Jailani NA 1 Government Frontier
College
122 982
11. Shabana
Rehman
NA 1 City District
Government College
50 1198
12. Saima Feroz NA 2 Government Girls High
School Gareebabad
75 944
13. Kulsoom Jannat NA 2 Government Girls High
School near Coffee Shop
University Campus
70 1947
14. Brishna Feroz NA 2 Government Primary
School Coffee Shop
72 916
15. Saima Yousaf NA 1 Industrial Home Centre 35
16. Surriya Khan NA 2 Government Girls High
School
129
14
17. Aneela Aman NA 2 Government Girls
Primary School Sector
D4 Near Super Market
69
18. Sajida Bibi NA 3 Government Primary
School Hassan Ghari
269
19. Lubna Shah NA 3 Government Girls
School Hassan Ghari
267 499
20. Sarosh Sahar
Sadiqui
Gul-Bahar Primary
School No2
Invalid
Data
21. Sundas Shah NA3 Peshawar Public Girls
High School
279 1467
22. Noor Nabia NA 2 Government Girls
Higher Secondary
School University Town
262
23. Malgharara NA 3 Government Girls
Primary School No 1
Din Bahar Colony
Peshawar
172
5.2 CHALLENGES/ISSUES
5.2.1 Problem Of Identity
One of the observers in Peshawar did not get an entry by police on the entrance gate of polling
stations, a Government middle school for boys Nauthia Qadeem, as there were spelling mistakes
in her name mentioned in the election commission of Pakistan-issued accreditation cards. The
observer talked to the presiding officer and she asked for another accreditation card of same
observer. After visiting ECP office, it took her 30 minutes for another accreditation card after
which she was allowed to enter the polling station. She had to take along her observer to ECP
office because the security was not allowing the observer into a polling station and the road was
packed with men and the observer could not be left alone on the road.
5.2.2 Indiscipline In Different Situations
At Government Girls Primary School Swati Tanki (Female), all three women’s polling booths,
were crowded into one tiny, hot classroom upstairs. The cardboard polling booths had not
arrived, so the presiding officer ripped sheets of paper on school desks to provide limited privacy
for the voters. Critically, no election staff had arrived, so, even these booths had not opened for
two hours on the voting day.
5.2.3 Mob-Behavior Of Females
At Gov. Girls Higher Secondary School Chamkani (Female), dozens of women crowded the
hallway outside. Finally the desperate presiding officer opened the booths with the help of only a
police officer and a political party volunteer.
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This was a clear violation of the rules. The security forces and political parties had strict
instructions not to interfere with the voting in any way, but it was done in the interest of giving
these women a chance to vote.
In a poor slum, at Government Girls School Hassan Ghari polling station, It was witnessed that
many women were voting in groups, often daughters helping their illiterate mothers read and
navigate rather complicated ballot papers. Upon arrival of the Aware Girls observer to the desk
of the presiding officer, she stopped the illegal process but later it was continued again.
5.2.4 No Back-Up For Load Shedding
Electricity shutdown was noticed the whole day at Government Girls Primary School Jander Gali
Nauthia and it was unbearable for all of them to stay there and work properly. This polling
station was situated in Nothia Jadeed.
At Industrial Home Centre polling station, polling agents and some candidates with their
supporters had raided on polling booth and made hurdles in the voting process whereas the
media did not take any notice of this rip-off.
Management was nowhere and no lady-police was seen in any polling station. Another polling
station which was in HassanGhari, a girls primary school, was very small and suffocated and
voters were sitting on stairs as this school had no compound.
5.2.5 Positive Points Identified
The overall polling process went very peacefully, although expectations were opposite before
election. Government Girls High School Chamkani polling staff was unable to conduct the whole
process as it was supposed to be because the polling agents were very influential and they had
taken over the assistant presiding officer’s tasks who were observed sitting aside helpless
because the security staff was unable to control the voters and the agents.
The most peaceful and well-managed polling station was FG Girls College Cantt, where the
polling staff was trained and were following all the rules set for polling booth. Voters were in the
queue and the police was cooperative. Another example of polling station where rules were
being followed by opening of polling station till the counting process was Peshawar Public
School polling station, Warsak road.
Police was performing its duties efficiently except few polling stations, but the situation took
intense shape on it started reaching in its close at 5 pm.
5.3 MARDAN DISTRICT
The Lowest turnout was observed in Swal dheri Polling Station being 6.8% whereas the highest
turnout was recorded in Gov. Girls High School Rashakai polling station being 100.1% clearly
showing rigging as the number of polled votes was more than registered voters, although the
figure shows a very positive impact of participation of females, but in reality, more action was
taken against the parties.
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5.3.1 Mardan Monitoring
In the Mardan District 20 Different Polling Stations were being observed by the Aware Girls
Election Observation Team.
Ps
no
Observer Polling station Name Registered
vote
Polled
vote
Constituency
162 Farzia begum Govt; Girls Centenial
Model School, Kanal
Rd, P.S.No.1 (P)
Female
952 327 NA 9
165 Pram Kumari Govt. Girls Primary
School, Karwan Road
(P) Female
1084 327 NA9
141 Jan Pari Govt. Primary School,
Qalam Jan Banda (P)
Combined
463 96 NA 11
177 Sanam Rani Govt. Girls Primary
School, Landai (P)
Female
683 126 NA 11
97 Beena Govt. Girls Primary
School, Butt Sehri (P)
Female
1523 267 NA 11
169 Sidra Govt. Girls High
School, No.1, Shamsi
Road (P) Female
1064 346 NA 9
9521084
463
683
1523
1064
1542
410
9971203
1416
634
1189
327 327
96 126267 346
503
59192
356154
635
281
Female Voters Turnout in Mardan
Votes Registered Votes Polled
17
74 Akhtari Naz Govt. Girls Primary
School, No.1, Shehbaz
Garhi (P) Female
1542 503 NA 11
133 Jahan Ara Govt. High School,
Baringun (P)
Combined
410 59 NA 11
227 khushnuma bibi Govt. Girls Primary
School, No.1, Noor
Man Khel
997 192 NA 9
155 Beena mumtaz Govt. Girls Primary
School, Labor Colony
(P) Female
1203 356 NA 9
154 Shame Mir Govt. Girls Middle
School, Labor Colony
(P) Female
1416 154 NA 9
4 Salma Bibi Govt. Girls Primary
School, Khwaja
Rashaka (P) Female
634 635 NA 9
76 Bakhti Jan Govt.Girls High
School, Ghala Dher P.S
No.2(P) Female
1189 281 NA 9
200 Kulsoom Bibi Govt. Primary School,
Dagai Female
1238 217 NA 9
239 Nasra Noor Govt.Girls Primary
Secondary, Sawal
Dher(P) Female
1785 123 NA 11
218 Jalwa Govt. Primary School,
Sikandari Upper
Portion, P.S.No.2 (P)
Female
1240 408 NA 9
217 Sabra Bibi Govt. Primary School,
Sikandari Lower
Portion, P.S.No.1 (P)
Female
786 108 NA 9
5.4 CHALLENGES/ISSUES
5.4.1 Violation Of Rules
In almost every polling station, rules and regulations were not followed by the voters. Some
polling stations were not easily accessible to the female voters. In some polling stations, i-e.
Govt. Girls Middle School, Labor Colony (P) Female, Govt. Primary School, Sikandari Lower
Portion, P.S.No.1 (P) Female, polling staff was involved in corruption, reportedly polling fake
votes in the ballot boxes. The polling stations were crowded and the polling agents were not able
to control the situation of the polling booth.
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5.4.2 Shortage Of Security Staff
The security staff was performing its duty efficiently, but there were a large number of people
accompanying the female voters. At the close of 5 pm, voters, agents and party supporters started
entering into polling booths and created a disturbance in the voting process. The security staff
was not able to control them.
5.4.3 Fake Votes And Corruption
In Govt. Girls Primary School No.1, Shahbaz Ghari, the polling staff was involved in corruption
and rigging. The outsiders and strong political party supporters were trying to convince the
voters to vote for their party. In timings between 12 pm to 1 pm, the JUI party workers were
giving slush money to people and were forcing people to vote only for their party. Rigging was
going on imprudently. In the village Rustam and Shah Bashar votes were being sold from 500-
2000 rs. It was mainly carried out by each party agent. In Government Girls High School, Ghala
Dher polling station, two party supporters (Pakistan People’s Party and Muslim League) had a
fight outside the polling station. A police officer informed Aware Girls observer but she was
unable to report ECP or media.
5.4.5 Threats To The PollingStaff
In Centennial Model School, canal road Mardan polling station, around 4 pm, one of the political
party armed worker rushed into the polling station in the presence of the security staff and
forced the polling staff to stop the voting process of females otherwise they will have to face
adverse consequences. The presiding officer was threatened at gunpoint and the voting process
was stopped at 4 pm till the end. The polling process was stopped for one hour. Within an hour,
Pak-Army reached the station and took over. The whole situation was brought back to normal
and the party supporters left the polling station when informed of the army's arrival.
5.4.6 Security Staff Favoritism
The security staff assigned to Govt. Primary School, Qalam Jan Banda (P) Combined and Govt.
Girls Primary School, Landai Female of Mardan polling stations, was also directing people to
vote for a particular party.
5.4.7 Disputes
There were Rumors outside Gov. Girls Primary School, a Dhagai Mardan polling station about a
fight between the police and a boy who got injured as well. The boy was the supporter of the
Muslim League party. A conflict was made by a political party member (Kwanzaa Khan) and
Police solved that conflict.
Party supporters were passing remarks to each other and it took serious shape when they started
brawling and involved common people. The presiding officer had to stop the voting process to
settle down the situation. Police were unable to stop them as they were lesser in number.
19
The polling agents were directing the female voters to vote for “Lubna”, a party member but the
security staff overcame this conflict.
5.4.8 Weak Polling Process
The Govt. Girls Primary School, No.1, Noor Man Khel, P.S.No.1, and Govt. Girls Primary
School, Labor Colony polling station was over packed with voters. No one was waiting for their
turn and in fact the polling officer was not calling voter names later in afternoon whereas the
number of females increased in the afternoon. Secrecy screen was not clearly visible and more
than two females were behind the secrecy screen.
Such situations slowed down the voting process and the voters gathered for casting vote. When
ECP announced one hour extension in the polling process, the crowd was more intensely
uncontrollable and the security staff was not trying to handle them.
5.4.9 Political Party Influences
Govt. Girls High School Middle polling station no. 154, ANP supporters were trying to enter into
the polling booth at 11:10 am. A man came to poll his vote in the female polling booth but he
was sent back but at 3:15 pm, the same man came back wearing shuttle cork Burqa and was
caught by the polling staff and security arrested him.
At Govt. Girls Primary School No.1, Shehbaz Garhi PS no. 74 polling station, PPP and PTI
supporters fought because PPP was buying votes from voters. Party agents and some members of
the polling staff was involved in this corruption. Polling staff also facilitated PPP polling agents
as they were being paid.
In Gov. Girls High School Ghala Dher PS polling station, PML (N) and PPP party supporters
fought because PML (N) candidates were buying votes from the voters.
SAWABI DISTRICT
14981262 1312
991
1431
825
1177
597
12651001
1355 1347
1019
208
607409 366
512307 401 304 254
0
424302
0200400600800
1000120014001600
Registered Votes Polled Votes
20
1. Swabi Monitoring
The following table shows the data of polling stations according to National Assembly
constituency where Aware Girls Observers were performing observation.
Name Polling Station NA PS
Delray Begum Gov. Girls Primary School Shagai Maneri Bala 12 5
Saima Anwar Gov. Girls High School Maneri Bala. 12 12
Mustameena Gov. Girls High School Gulshan Abad Maneri
Payan.
12 19
Nargis Begum Gov. Girls Degree College Shagai Maneri Bala. 12 45
Shazia Bibi Gov. Girls Primary School Spin Kani Asota. 12 144
Seema Khan Gov. Girls Primary School Seri-1 Maneri Bala 12 7
Anila Naz Gov. Girls Primary School Gulshan Abad Maneri
Payan
12 16
Farzia Gov. Girls Primary School No-2 Maneri Payan 12 24
Rahila Gov. Girls Centennial Model School Swabi 12 30
Salma Yasir Gov. Primary School No 2 Tordheri 13 13
Nazish Gov. Girls Primary School No 2 Anbar 13 18
Salma Rehman Gov. Primary School No1 Sheikh Dheri Anbar 13 21
Roheed Bibi Gov. Girls Primary School No 1 Beka. 13 29
Khadija Gov. Girls High School Jhangira 13 51
Memona Gov. Girls High School Jhangira 13 55
Tayaba Naz Gov. Primary School Islamia Lahore 13 81
Nageena Gov. Girls High School Zaida 13 110
Nabeela Gov. Girls Primary School No 1 Zaida 13 114
Muneera
5.5 CHALLENGES/ISSUES
5.5.1 No Entry Of Observers
All the observers were being issued the accreditation cards by ECP to perform their duties but
despite all document verification, at Govt. Primary School No1, Sheikh Dheri Anbar and Govt.
Girls High School Jhangira, Aware Girls observers were not given permission to enter the
21
polling stations where they were assigned. These polling stations were at a distance from each
other and after all negotiations with the presiding officer, they got an entry.
5.5.2 No Right To Vote
Many female voters could not cast their votes and the reason stated was that their vote has no
importance, with no permission to leave the house to cast votes and were restricted by their male
members of the family. The same situation was observed by our observer at Govt. Primary
School no.1, Sheikh Dheri Anbar polling station no.21, where female voters were not allowed to
cast their vote because of the decision of Jirga in their village.
5.5.3 Non Availability Of Polling Booths
In Govt. Girls High School, Jhangira polling station no. 51 and 55 females were entering the
polling booth without any proper sequence and some of the polling booths were not established,
therefore, females who were registered in the particular polling station could not find their
polling booths.
At Govt. Primary School Islamia Lahore, male representatives were entering to female polling
stations where they were restricted.
At Gov. Girls Centennial Model School Swabi, Political agents were forcing aged females to cast
their votes for their suggested candidates.
In Gov. Girls High School Maneri Bala, female voters were going to the secrecy screen with
their relatives to cast their votes. Presiding officer of Gov. Girls Primary School no. 1 Zaida,
rejected the votes of some females as they failed to produce their NICs.
5.5.4 Raid Of Political Party
At Govt. Girls Primary School, Spin Kani Asota and Govt. Girls Primary School no. 2 Anbar
were closed down for some time because some political parties were forcing females to cast
votes to their parties. Few females who were party agents and supporters took over the control of
polling process and started polling fake votes and the polling staff was helpless in stopping them.
At Govt. Primary School no.1, Sheikh Dheri Anbar, polling process ran smoothly but afterwards
political parties workers forced women to cast vote to them.
5.5.5 Polling Staff’s Irresponsibility
In Govt. Girls Primary School Gulshan Abad Maneri Payan, polling staff was not performing
their duties efficiently. They were rather working as representatives of political parties and
helping them in rigging openly.
22
5.5.6 Common Irregularities Polling Stations Overall
In Govt. Girls Primary School Seri-1 Maneri Bala, a woman were casting a vote on behalf of her
sister. Some female voters were fighting with the presiding officer to let them cast their first
vote as they had to reach homes for household chores. A female was reluctant to show her CNIC
whereas she wanted to cast her vote. Some females were not allowed to cast their vote while they
were having their codes. The majority of women was not following the row and were pushing
each other to get first place. The security staff could not control them due to cultural barriers.
The verbal instructions were inaudible due to noise in the polling booth.
THE AVERAGE TURNOUT OF THE THREE DISTRICTS OVERALL
The above graph shows the overall turnout of female participation in the polling stations of three
districts. Highest turnout was recorded in Peshawar district whereas the lowest was observed in
Mardan district due to the political party’s involvement in the voting process and bad
management.
6.1 Common Findings in all Three Districts
6.1.1 Influential Polling Agents
In majority of the polling stations, the polling agents were very influential. They had allegedly
forced the polling staff and the voters vote for their parties and the locals were found following
them because they were afraid of their power.
In Peshawar NA 4, the worst situation was witnessed when the whole voting process was taken
under the control of polling agents and the polling staff was found helpless.
peshawar Mardan sawabi
Series1 37.80% 26.70% 33.20%
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
Axi
s Ti
tle
Turnout Ratio
23
In Swabi the polling agents were casting votes instead of female voters and the police was unable
to stop them from rigging. Some of the staff members were found stamping ballot papers and
putting in the ballot boxes.
6.1.2 Untrained Polling Staff
Most of polling staff were untrained and were not aware of the proper voting process. They were
occupied by the females and the polling staff was not guiding the voters about stamping and
folding of ballot paper.
6.1.3 Paid Voters
Many voters in all polling stations of three districts were being paid to cast vote to a certain
party. Supporters and even agents were providing lunch to get their favor in casting votes.
Females were also casting votes publicly and some females were accompanied by their relatives
or husbands who were asking them to vote for a certain party.
An incident occurred at spin Kanri (Swabi) polling station where a female cast vote for a party
and the agent of another party called up her husband and informed him about his wife voting to
another party.
6.1.4 Lesser Security Staff
In overall, all the polling stations, security staff were hardly in the country. They were not
performing their duty stating they were helpless in controlling the female voters due to cultural-
barrier they were bound to follow being not to be harsh or strict with women.
At Chamkani polling station in Peshawar, the police was sitting aside, more like onlookers. In
Government Girls Primary School Hassan Ghari, the policemen were standing outside because
the polling station was very congested and over-packed with females.
6.1.5 Mobilization Inside Polling Stations
Many political party candidates and their supports interrupted the polling process. At Frontier
College polling booth, the process was being stopped by a party candidate and his wife was
raged upon polling staff for not directing females in casting votes to their party.
6.1.6 Mismanagement
There were no proper queues made for females causing problem in reaching to the observer on
time. The polling booth numbers were not assigned and the presiding officer declared the
numbers of polling booths later. Many females were waiting at wrong polling stations because
they were registered in one polling station and they were told to wait on another polling station.
The crowd on all polling stations was huge and was not following any rules because the police
was not present to handle them.
24
6.1.7 Injuries Reported On Polling Station
Females were being injured due to their bad behavior. The use of abusive language and not
following the rules, the polling agents were at loggerheads with females who were not prone to
their instructions.
6.1.8 Absence of Polling Booths
The observers were assigned to different polling booths but some of them could not sit in the
assigned polling booth due to the non-availability of polling staff and also non-cooperation of
the presiding officers. Due to the single polling booth, the females were facing problems and
they had to wait for long.
6.1.9 Takeover by Army and Rangers
The Government Girls Secondary School Gul Bahar polling station was taken over by rangers
when polling process was not started even at 11am. Polling staff, polling agents and the voters.
All were fighting each other claiming the polling staff favoring a certain political party.
Polling process was stopped in 2 polling stations due to the arrival of party candidates who were
pressurizing the polling staff to vote for their party.
A polling station in Mardan was taken-over by rangers when a suicide-bomber was caught
outside the polling station.
6.1.10 Conflicts Inside the Polling Station
Conflicts were being observed in majority of the polling stations because of the female voters
who were securing space by force and pushing back the females who were already on their turn.
Conflict also arose due to fake votes at one polling station in Peshawar, NA-2 polling station,
where a candidate’s wife came and cast vote four times. Media was present but they did not take
it seriously and left the polling station. Likewise in Mardan and Swabi, the heads of the areas
were present at the polling stations with their armed guards and were found giving instructions to
voters in their favor.
6.1.11 Lack of Facilities
Many polling stations had no electricity and it created suffocation especially in those polling
stations which only one polling booth was operational. Drinking water was not provided and
females who had kids were found in trouble.
6.1.12 Incidents of Violence
Conflicts arose among different party workers, agents, supporters and relatives came along with
female voters and male crowd was also gathered outside the polling stations.
25
ANALYSIS OF THE DATA
7.1 Tabulated Data
The data collected from all the three districts, Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi were a checklist
which comprised 150 questions (SEE ANNEXTURE). All questions were quantitative. The
questions were designed in accordance with the situation and process. To obtain accurate data
based on facts and figures, the analysis was conducted using charts and tables where it was
considered necessary.
The selected tabulated data are as follows:
SECTION 2: OPENING OF THE POLLING STATION.
2.2: Inside the Polling Station:
Q 20: Polling Staff Signed Form 11-A (The Verification Of Ballot Boxes) From Polling Agent
And Candidate’s Present In Polling Booth
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES 16 14 12
NO NA 4 10
NA 2 NA NA
Total 18 18 22
The above table describes, that in majority of polling stations of Peshawar, presiding officer did
not emphasize on signing the count of statement whereas the same process was followed in
district Mardan and Sawabi.
SECTION 5: POLLING BOOTH.
5.2: Polling Booth Observation
Q 36: Polling Station Had Closed Down Before 5pm
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES 3 2 1
NO 16 22 22
NA Nil Nil Nil
The table depicts that all the polling stations were closed down after 5 pm. Election commission
of Pakistan had extended the polling process to one more hour and this was announced around 3
pm. In Mardan, a suicide attacker was caught at the polling station therefore the polling station
had to be closed. In another polling station, a candidate pointed gun at presiding officer and she
had to close down the polling station.
26
In Sawabi a polling station was closed down at 3 pm due to a dispute between two opposite
parties.
Q 37: Polling Booth Have Been Occupied and Only a Single Party/Candidate’s Voters Are
Being Allowing for Vote Casting
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES 3 2 1
NO 16 22 22
NA Nil Nil Nil
In the above table it is shown that in the initial hours of polling process, all polling stations were
pre-occupied by the party candidates and this raid remained till 3 pm in Sawabi. In Peshawar and
Mardan, polling stations remained under the candidates’ influence for 3 to 2 hours respectively.
This kind of absolute monopoly kept the polling process abeyance for some time as well.
SECTION 6: VOTING PROCESS.
6.1: Process of Voter’s Identification.
Q 60: Polling Officer Is Checking NIC of Every Voter
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES 16 21 22
NO 2 0 0
The above table shows the very fundamental step of polling process which was checking of
National Identity Card of voters which was checked as a first priority and those who did not
produce their NIC, were sent back. In Sawabi we can see that in two polling stations NIC were
not being checked and it was done after 3 pm where polling staff was not performing their duties
efficiently.
Q 66: Polling Officer Is Loudly Calling Name of Every Voter
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES 18 21 22
NO 0 0 0
The polling officer called out name of every voter loudly. This procedure is undertaken in order
to ensure the political agents to reconfirm the list they already have. If the name is not being
called, it gives the signal of polling officer’s rise. This process was done perfectly because
polling agents takes wrong action if polling officer do not call out names loudly.
27
Q 65: Voters Who Have Nothing For Their Identification Are Allowed To Cast Vote
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES 18 21 22
NO 0 0 0
The above table clearly shows that in all polling stations of district Peshawar, Mardan and
Sawabi the rule was strictly followed and those who were not possessing any identity document,
did not get permission to cast vote. It displays a 100% fair and free procedure in this step of
process.
The above graph depicts a 100% process of checking name of the voter from the list. This rule
was being followed throughout the day. Only this rule was being followed so that the registered
voter could avail her right of voting.
The above table shows that all the polling officers of the three districts were marking the voter
data of individual voter, once a voter was done with her basic information. This process was
followed till the end of polling process.
6.2: Distribution of National and Provincial assembly Ballot Papers:
Q 69: Polling officer is checking every voter name from the list
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES
NO 0 0 0
Q 70: Polling Officer Is Mark With Pen In Front Of Voter Data
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES
NO 0 0 0
Q 78: Assistant presiding officer1/2 have already stamped and signature the ballot papers and
received copies.
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES
NO 0 0 0
28
The above table shows the Peshawar district data on hourly basis. Till 11 am, the stamping was
in process but after 11 am stamping was being stopped. APO ½ had stamped the ballot paper
and received copies initially but later they were not stamping ballot papers.
6.3: The Process of Stamping the Ballot Papers by the Voters.
Q 82: Assisting Presiding Officer is guiding each voter to see the guiding poster on the
procedure of stamping the ballot paper
MARDAN
Time Yes No N/A
8:00-9:00 15 7 2
9:00-10:00 15 7 2
10:00-11:00 15 7 2
11:00-12:00 15 7 2
12:00-1:00 15 7 2
1:00-2:00 15 7 2
2;00-3:00 15 7 2
3:00-4:00 15 7 2
4:00-5:00 15 7 2
5:00-onwards 15 7 2
The above table shows the procedure of stamping ballot paper in Mardan district only. This was
followed in the initial hours but later, it was not followed. The table also signifies that in in some
hours the process was also stopped and nothing was being followed.
PESHAWAR
Time Yes No N/A
8:00-9:00 22 0 Nil
9:00-10:00 22 0 Nil
10:00-11:00 22 0 Nil
11:00-12:00 22 0 Nil
12:00-1:00 22 0 Nil
1:00-2:00 22 0 Nil
2;00-3:00 22 0 Nil
3:00-4:00 22 0 Nil
4:00-5:00 22 0 Nil
5:00-onwards 22 0 Nil
29
The above table clearly indicates that process was followed thoroughly the whole day in every
hour of the voting process.
SAWABI
Time Yes No N/A
8:00-9:00 7 7 4
9:00-10:00 7 7 4
10:00-11:00 7 7 4
11:00-12:00 7 7 4
12:00-1:00 7 7 4
1:00-2:00 7 7 4
2;00-3:00 7 7 4
3:00-4:00 7 7 4
4:00-5:00 7 7 4
5:00-onwards 7 7 4
In the above table we see the same trend being followed. Whole day the step of guiding voter to
stamp, was observed in every polling station.
Q 83:The Assisting Presiding Officer is giving verbal guidelines to the voter on how to stamp
the Ballot Paper.
Responses SWABI MARDAN PESHAWAR
YES
NO 0 0 0
The above table indicates the process on hourly basis. In initial hours, the APO’s were not
guiding even verbally but later, the instructions were being given to the voters. The above table
shows responsibility of APO of Mardan polling stations and indicates that almost 80 % of voters
were guided verbally and the trend remained same till closing hours. The APO’s were supposed
to guide the voters by the sample ballot paper and pencil in the polling booth.
Question no 87: The assistant presiding officers are folding the ballot papers in the wrong
way
TIME Yes No N/A
8:00-9:00 3 8 11
9:00-10:00 3 8 11
30
The above chart indicates the wrong method of ballot paper in each hour. The ratio of folding
Ballot Paper has wrongly been more than the folding of ballot paper in right way.
The table shows the detail data. The column N/A shows not available which means that in some
hours, the voting was not in process.
Question no 89: An unauthorized person is going behind the secrecy screen with the voter?
If yes, who
The above graph very clearly depicts that in the initial hours, in all the polling stations, no
unauthorized person was seen with the voter behind secrecy screen. Later, in third, fourth and
fifth hour, presence of unauthorized persons was recorded. The green bar in the graph indicates
that the secrecy screen was empty at few time intervals.
0
0
5
0
0
5
5
0
0
0
22
22
17
22
22
12
10
2
22
22
0
0
0
0
0
5
7
0
0
0
8:00-9:00
9:00-10:00
10:00-11:00
11:00-12:00
12:00-1:00
1:00-2:00
2;00-3:00
3:00-4:00
4:00-5:00
5:00-onwards
Yes No N/A
10:00-11:00 3 8 11
11:00-12:00 3 8 11
12:00-1:00 3 8 11
1:00-2:00 3 8 11
2;00-3:00 3 8 11
3:00-4:00 3 8 11
4:00-5:00 3 8 11
5:00-onwards 3 8 11
31
Question no 92:Any other person is stamping the ballot paper instead of the voter
Districts 8:00am-11:00am
11:00am-2:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm
YES No NA YES No NA YES No NA
Peshawar 0 22 0 1 21 0 0 22 0
Mardan 23 1 0 23 1 0 23 1 0
Sawabi 7 6 5 7 6 5 7 6 5
The above table is categorized with three hours gaps indicating difference in one of the steps
included in the voting process. It has been indicated in the data that in the Mardan and Sawabi
District, the stamping of ballot paper procedure has not been followed according to rules, clearly
shows the mismanagement of the polling staff and the increase in trend of rigging.
SECTION 6.4 DISCRIMINATION BIASED ATTITUDE
Q 96: The polling staff is biased or discriminating voters of a specific candidate or political
party write the name of the political party:
Districts Yes No Not available
Peshawar 0 22 0
Mardan 0 24 0
Sawabi 4 10 4
This table has been constructed with the available data gathered from the election data which is
attached in the Annexure. The table clearly indicates biasedness and discrimination in the Sawabi
district than in the districts of Peshawar and Mardan due to influence of parties in the polling
station and in the area.
Question no 98: Any person is pressurizing the polling staff to support a specific
candidate/political party? Write name of the political party/candidate.
DISTR
ICT
8:00am-
9:00pm
9:00am-
12pm
12:00-
1:00pm
1:00pm-
2:00pm
2:00pm-
3:00pm
3:00pm-
4:00pm
4:00pm-
5:00pm
Peshaw
ar
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
0 2
2
0 0 1
7
0 5 1
5
2 7 1
5
- 7 1
5
0 7 1
0
5 5 1
2
5
Marda
n
1 2
3
0 1 2
3
0 1 2
3
0 1 2
3
0 1 2
3
0 1 2
3
0 1 2
3
0
Sawabi 1 1
3
4 1 1
3
4 1 1
3
4 1 1
3
4 1 1
3
4 1 1
3
4 1 1
3
4
32
The above table shows that in all the three districts, polling stations were under the influence of
one or more people who were forcing the polling staff to favor a particular party or candidate. It
is also shown from the district report that every polling station remained under pressure of
influential people during certain times of the day. The main parties, whose supporters were found
pressurizing the voters were PPP and ANP.
Question no 99: Any Person is mobilizing the voters to vote for a candidate/political party?
DISTR
ICT
8:00am-
9:00pm
9:00am-
12pm
12:00-
1:00pm
1:00pm-
2:00pm
2:00pm-
3:00pm
3:00pm-
4:00pm
4:00pm-
5:00pm
Peshaw
ar Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
Y N N
A
0 2
2
0 0 2
2
0 5 1
7
0 1
7
5 0 5 1
7
0 5 1
7
0 5 1
7
0
Mardan 7 1
7
0 7 1
7
0 7 1
7
0 7 1
7
0 6 1
8
0 6 1
8
0 5 1
9
0
Sawabi 3 1
1
4 3 1
1
4 3 1
1
4 3 1
1
4 3 1
1
4 3 1
1
4 3 1
1
4
As shown in the question 98 analysis, the voters and the polling staff were pressurized to vote for
a particular party. The supporters of JUI , PPP and ANP allegedly purchased votes in their party
or candidate’s favor.
SECTION 7: CLOSING OF POLLING BOOTH AND POLLING STATION:
7.2: The Process Of Counting Ballot Papers Of National Assembly And Provincial
Assembly:
Question no 107: People have been allowed to see the process of counting of ballot papers,
if yes then who was allowed to watch the counting process
☐Authorized Polling Agent☐ Observers holding Accreditation Cards☐ Any other unauthorized
Person
33
The graph depicted above displays the process of counting of ballot papers of the three districts.
The blue bar shows that only authorized people, polling staff, observers and polling agents were
allowed in the counting process. It is also shown that in Peshawar district, 5 observers did not get
permission into the counting process whereas this trend remained 1% in the districts of Mardan
and Sawabi.
Question no 108: The doors of polling station have been closed so that people inside cannot
go outside, and anyone from outside cannot enter inside.
17
20
12
5
1 10
3
5
Peshawar Mardan sawabi
Yes No NA
20
16
13
2
5
2
Peshawar Mardan Sawabi
Yes NO
34
The above graph displays the information of three districts i.e. Peshawar, Mardan and Sawabi.
Blue bar indicates the polling stations where doors were closed down right after the last voter
had polled the vote. The red bar shows the polling stations which failed to follow rules and some
observers were let before counting due to riot in the polling station.
Question no 113:Any person other than polling staff is touching the ballot papers or
counting it
☐Polling Agent ☐Security Staff ☐Other (write Name)
In the above graph, the darker portion represents “YES” to the question while the lighter portion
represents “NO”. It is concluded that in districts Sawabi and Mardan, the polling agents were
interfering more whereas in the Peshawar district, the polling staff was not allowing the polling
agents to touch the ballot papers even though in Government School Chamkani, the situation was
worse from the beginning of the day due to the polling agents of JUI party, who were creating
disturbance throughout polling process.
Peshawar, 3
Mardan, 20
Sawabi, 13
Peshawar, 19
Mardan, 4
Sawabi, 4
Peshawar
Mardan
Sawabi
0 5 10 15 20 25
35
Question no 131: Any person is pressurizing the polling staff to support a specific political
party/candidate. Write name of the political party.
If yes, who? ☐ Candidate/Party Leader/Worker/Supporter Government officer ☐Security
officer ☐Other
The above depicted graph clearly indicates the differences in 3 the districts as polling agents
were pressurizing the polling staff for their party, therefore the ratio of “YES” is less than the
“NO”.
Vertical axis shows the number of “YES” and “NO” in range of 20, combining both options.
7.4 Counting Forms For The National Assembly And Provincial Assembly:
Question no 140: The polling staff has given the Aware Girls observer a copy of the court
of statement form
0
5
10
15
20
Peshawar Mardan Sawbi
District
YES
NO
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Peshawar Mardan sawabi
pe
rce
nta
ge
District
Chart Title
No
Yes
36
The above graph shows that the statement of count was received by 65% of Aware Girls
observers in Peshawar whereas this ratio remained 29% in Mardan and 32% in Sawabi district.
The dark portion in the bar shows reception of the count statement while the lighter portion in
bar shows non-reception of the statement of count.
7.5 Packing Of Election Material:
Question no 150: For any reason the Presiding Officer used the magisterial authorities
The above graph shows the use of power authorized to Presiding officer which was exercised
highly in Sawabi and lowest in Mardan. This was mainly caused by conflicts and violent attacks
on polling stations.
KEY-RECOMMENDATIONS
For the management of female voters, the charge should be given to female security staff
as they can easily manage female voters as in Pukhtoon culture, male security staff
cannot handle them as it restricts them from touching or shouting at them. Therefore,
female security staff should be assigned to female polling booths. As witnessed in this
recent election, no female security staff was given charge, therefore, at many polling
stations, the situations turned worst due to less interference of police as they were not
able to get them in line or push them outside. The provision of female security staff is
indispensible at events where females participation is more.
Peshawar Mardan sawabi
No 13 16 12
Yes 9 8 15
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Axi
s Ti
tle
Chart Title
37
The polling staff are the predominant key players of the electorate ground. If they are not
well-trained, the whole process fails to take the right direction. Therefore, the polling
staff should be trained properly in order to restore and maintain management on such a
red letter day.
Majority of polling staff complained of low payment, although they performed the pain-
staking duty for 2 to 3 days where they were even forced for the duty. A highly-paid
polling staff will ensure transparency as well as efficiency in the electorates to come.
Mobilization of the polling agents, party workers and supporters should be completely
banned within the polling station. Only the polling agent should be seated in polling
booth. The mobilization of such unauthorized bodies within the polling stations adversely
affects the polling process and are a threat to security, peace, transparency and
management of the polling process. The assigning of polling agents count in a polling
station should be limited because the political parties represent their polling agents who
violate rules in party’s benefit.
It is been observed that in the voters of rural and far-flung areas, the women are not duly
aware of their rights. They are totally unaware of their role and power in the
establishment of a democratic government in the country and what importance their vote
holds in the development of their country. Pre-electorate awareness programs should be
carried out across the country in order to make all these people realize the worth of their
vote and what role they can play in the establishment.
Majority of women in Pakistan do not realize the role of their vote and many of them do
not even recognize their right to vote. NADRA should initiate a project which aims at
CNIC processing of all those women who are above 18 years of age and do not possess a
CNIC, so that they are registered according to the place they belong to.
The polling and security staff should be strictly penalized if found guilty of
irresponsibility or involved in corruption during the election process. This penalty must
be incumbent upon each process member regardless of gender. Taking this measure
earnestly will pave way for more fair and free election process in times to come.
Fair and free Electorate is the hallmark of any democratic state. Democracy is marked by
its this most distinctive feature that every single person of the state has the right to cast
vote and play their role in the development of country through it, but sadly enough, the
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women of our country are unaware of this right. Therefore, the importance of election
and participation of females in the electorate as a subject should be included in the course
outline from secondary education up to master level. This will be conducive to the
awareness of many young women who reach age 18. They will be aware of their right to
vote and participate actively. Many young women from age 18-22 years in rural areas do
not have CNIC and they remain deprived of vote casting. Likewise many young women
do not cast vote in the urban areas due to less knowledge of election and its importance in
the development of country.
Equal opportunity and the right to vote should be given to both men and women.
Educational and informative sessions should be held in the rural areas of the country with
both the genders in order to facilitate them with all possible information and provide them
with necessary assessment to convince them with the fact that there is no harm in female
participation to poll vote and their participation is also not a threat to their cultural norms
and conventions. Their minds should be anticipated with patriotism so that they can realize
and recognize their role and duty as a Pakistani citizen and how they can show their interest
in the making of their country through use of “Right To Vote”.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Training materials and sessions related to ballot counting, vote counting, and result
consolidation should be revised. The training manuals by the polling staff should be
expanded in order to accommodate the important measures like detailed, step- by-step
instructions.
The Presiding Officers and Returning Officers should be held accountable for any
deviations from procedures related to these important pre-requisites of Electoral training.
In addition to this, the Presiding Officers must be held accountable for the counting of the
ballots separately on gender bases and recording these accurately.
Presiding Officers must be taken in account for filling each part of Statement of Count
and Ballot Account Form correctly and they should be trained to follow this whole
procedure in order to avoid errors on the election day.
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS:
1. ANP Awami National Party
2. CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
3. CNIC Computerized National Identity Card
4. ECP Election Commission of Pakistan
5. FAFEN Free And Fair Election Network
6. FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas
7. JI Jamaat-e-Islami
8. JUI-F Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl
9. KPK Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
10. LTO Long Term Observer
11. MQM Muttahida Quami Movement
12. NA National Assembly
13. NADRA National Database and Registration Authority
14. PEMRA Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
15. PML-N Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
16. PML-Q Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam
17. PPP Pakistan People’s Party
18. PrO Presiding Officer
19. PS Polling Station
20. PTI Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
21. RO Returning Officer ROPA
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