CGEP NEWS AND EVENTS

August 10, 2010

Government, ECP urged to institute Electoral Reforms Now: CGEP

Karachi, August 10; In a Briefing organized by PILDAT, the CGEP members strongly demanded that Election Commission should act independently. Welcoming Election Commission's Strategic Plan, CGEP demanded that media and civil society should conduct regular periodic review of its implementation. The new legislation on electoral reforms is on the cards and it is important that all required comprehensive set of electoral reforms is included in it.............[Details]

March 26, 2010

The Citizens Group on Electoral Process Calls on the PM and the CEC;  Urges for timely Electoral Reforms

Prime Minister Welcomes CGEP Electoral Reforms Proposals; suggests early Preparation of Computerised Electoral Rolls

Islamabad, March 26: The Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani welcomed the Electoral Reforms proposals presented to him by a delegation of the Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP, facilitated by PILDAT. “It is due to your contributions into political and electoral reforms and democracy strengthening that we are able to witness whatever form of democracy that exists in the country today,” he said lavishly praising the efforts of PILDAT and the CGEP while welcoming the Electoral Reform proposals. The Prime Minister assured the CGEP delegation of consideration of all electoral reform proposals and said that his government, contrary to the traditional view, is not striving for the longevity of its rule but for strengthening of institutions in Pakistan for a lasting democracy in the country.

.............[Details]

March 08, 2010

Citizens Group on Electoral Process Issues Background Paper on the State of Electoral Rolls in Pakistan

·         Electoral Rolls must be Corrected and Updated using the NADRA Database

·         CNIC and Voter Registration must be a One-Window Operation

·         Progressive and Constructive Attitude of the current ECP Leadership appreciated

·         Need for Inquiry and Detailed Report by the ECP in Preparation of Computerised Electoral Rolls ahead of February 2008 General Election
 

Islamabad, March 08; The Citizens’ Group on Electoral Process-CGEP, a non-partisan Group of eminent Pakistanis facilitated by PILDAT has demanded that the present Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Pakistan should conduct an enquiry into the making of Computerised Electoral Rolls 2007 for the purpose of fixing responsibility and learning lessons for the future.

.............[Details]

Feb 03, 2010

Citizens Group on Electoral Process holds Consultation on Electoral Rolls; Interacts with Syed Naveed Qamar and Federal Law Secretary

Islamabad, February 3; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process, a non-partisan Group comprising eminent Pakistanis, held meetings and interactions here today with Syed Naved Qamar, MNA and Federal Minister and the Federal Secretary Law Justice (Retd.) Aqil Mirza, to present the Group’s recommendations specifically on Computerised Electoral Rolls and required Electoral Reforms in Pakistan.

The CGEP Members part of these interactions included Mr. Arif Nizami, Columnist and former Editor, The Nation; Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin, Columnist, The News; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, Former Governor Sindh/ Former Federal Minister for Interior; Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Editor in Chief, Daily Pakistan; Mr. Shahid Hamid, Senior Advocate Supreme Court and Former Governor Punjab; Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Executive Director PILDAT and Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT..............[Details]

Feb 21, 2008

CGEP reviews polling-day fairness; demands:

• Political Parties to Respect Public Mandate

• Non-Interference in Formation of New Governments by the Presidency, by Local and Foreign Elements

• Restoration of Judiciary

• Musharraf to Step Down from Presidency

• Independent Judicial Enquiry into Incidents of Poll-day Rigging

Islamabad, February 21; In order to analyse the polling day and post-poll process after February 18 General Election, the Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP met in Islamabad today under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqiui and issued the following statement.............[Details]

Feb 15, 2008

The Citizens Group Concludes Electoral Fact Finding Mission to Thatta and Badin;

Government Resources and Strong Arm Tactics in Play to Queer the Electoral PitchReport of CGEP Pre-Election Fact-Finding Missions to Gujrat and Sialkot  Released

• Sindh Caretaker Minister for Food and Agriculture Ijaz Shah Shirazi and Nazim Thatta active in Election Campaign of “All in the Family” at Thatta

• Finds Serious Irregularities and large scale multi-entries of Voters in Computerised Electoral Rolls

• FIRs used as a Means to Politically Victimise Opposing Candidates

• Polling Scheme to the disadvantage of Voters

• Manipulation of Candidates by Commandeering their Vehicles

• Postings and Transfers During the Election Period

• Effective Army Deployment near and on the Polling Day Demanded

.............[Details]

Feb 15, 2008

How Independent is the Election Commission in Pakistan?

The CGEP Paper Analyses the Constitutional Powers of the ECP with that of the Election Commission of India

When electoral reforms are discussed in Pakistan, generally, political parties and other stakeholders complain of lack of “powers” and “independence” of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as the key institution constitutionally charged with the responsibility of holding free and fair elections in Pakistan. But, is the Election Commission really powerless in terms of efficient discharge of its responsibilities? What constitutes “independence” and what are the needed “constitutional powers” for the ECP after attaining which the ECP will be able to perform its functions better? How do the powers of the ECP compare with those of the Election Commission of India (ECI), revered within and outside India as an independent and powerful institute?.............[Details]

Feb 11, 2008

Report of CGEP Pre-Election Fact-Finding Missions to Gujrat and Sialkot  Released
 

CGEP demands effective Army deployment for election; finds sense of insecurity in Gujrat

• CGEP finds Widespread feeling of insecurity among voters in Gujrat

• Nazims in Gujrat and Sialkot active in Election Campaign

• All Candidates violating Election Code of Conduct regarding Billboards and Banners

• No Evidence found for Charges of rigging through Postal Ballots

• Officials should voluntarily suspend official protocol during their candidacy

• Effective Army Deployment near and on the Polling Day Demanded

• Polling Staff emoluments should be doubled

.............[Details]

Feb 06, 2008

Citizens Group holds meetings with Ch. Shujaat and Mian Nawaz Sharif; discusses parties' positions on pre-election environment

Lahore, February 6; A delegation of Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP), headed by Justice (Retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui,  held meetings with president PML-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Quaid PML-N at Lahore today. The CGEP delegation also included Mr. Mujib ur Rehman Shami, Dr. Parvez Hassan, Mr. Shahid Hamid, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob and Ms. Aasiya Riaz.............[Details]

Feb 04, 2008

• CGEP to Discuss Elections with Chaudhry Shujaat & Nawaz Sharif

• Plans to Undertake Electoral Fact Finding Missions to Gujrat and Sialkot

Islamabad, February 4: The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) under the Chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, will hold meetings with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President PML-Q and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Quaid PML-N at Lahore on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at Lahore............[Details]

Jan 29, 2008

Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) Met with Provincial Election Commissioner of Sindh

Karachi, January 29; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP, under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, held a meeting with the Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh, Qmar-uz-Zaman at his office Karachi on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. Other members of the Group Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, Chairman, Gallup Pakistan Ltd.; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, Former Governor Sindh and Former Interior Minister; Ahmed Bilal Mehboob , Executive Director, PILDAT;  and Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director of PILDAT were also present in the meeting............[Details]

Jan 21, 2008

Attock Pre-Election Fact-finding Mission Report Released

Attock Postal Ballots Conspiracy Charges unfounded but Evidence of Pre-Poll Rigging Found by CGEP Fact Finding Mission

A Fact-Finding Mission of the Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) headed by Justice (Retired) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui has declared that it has not found any proof of misuse of postal ballots in the forthcoming general election in three National and five Provincial Assembly Constituencies in district Attock.............[Details]

Jan 14, 2008

CGEP to undertake Electoral Fact Finding Mission to District Attock

The Citizens Group on Electoral Process, a non-partisan Group of eminent Pakistanis facilitated by PILDAT to monitor the electoral process, is to undertake a Fact Finding Mission to District Attock on Tuesday, January 15, 2008............[Details]

Jan 04, 2008

Citizens Group Calls for:

1. A Non-Partisan President
2. Independent Inquiry Commission for the Benazir Bhutto tragedy
3. Appointment of a New CEC and Reconstitution of full ECP
4. Effective Use of Powers by the ECP
5. Restraint by the Political Parties
6. Responsibility by the Media
7. Peaceful Conduct by all Citizens

8. No Further Postponement of Polls on any grounds

Lahore, January 4; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process held its 16th Meeting at Lahore on January 4, 2008. Names of participants are attached. The Group began its deliberations by offering fateha for the departed soul of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Group held extensive deliberations on all aspects of the situation arising from the demise of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan............[Details]

Jan 03, 2008

Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) to Review the Political and Electoral Scenario

Islamabad, January 3; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP, a group of eminent Pakistanis from the fields of law, judiciary, media, security, administration and civil society under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, will meet at Lahore on Friday, January 4, 2008 to review the Political and Electoral Scenario after the tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the postponement of General Election date............[Details]

Dec 19, 2007

Election 2008 fail on Pre-Election Fairness; Poll-Day Fairness to be Determined

December 19; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP), a Group of eminent Pakistanis that has been monitoring electoral process since December 2006 has observed that on all counts the coming General Election fails on Pre-Election Fairness. The Group which met at Karachi reviewed the legal, constitutional and political environment ahead of elections, especially focusing on the partisan role of the President, weak election-management institute in the shape of the ECP, partisan caretaker governments at the centre and the provinces, curbs on media and crippling of independent judiciary, and held that the pre-election stage does not provide a level-playing field to all contestants. The Group, however, observed that polling-day fairness needs to be determined and the civil society should get together to monitor the polls............[Details]

Dec 14, 2007

Lawyers & Civil Society Should Closely Monitor General Election

Islamabad, December 14; Reviewing the prevailing election scenario in the country, the Citizens Group on Electoral Process, chaired by Justice (Retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, has urged the lawyers and the civil society to play an active role in monitoring the General Election so that it can be held in free, fair and transparent manner. .........[Details]

Nov 22, 2007

Citizens Group on Electoral Process & Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations: Statement Issued on Saturday November 17, 2007

In view of the unconstitutional proclamation of the state of Emergency, suspension of the Constitution and imposition of a Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) in Pakistan on November 3, 2007 and their wider impact on society due to the seizure of basic civil liberties, the assault on the independence of the judiciary, widespread detention and arrests of lawyers, civil society representatives, students and political party workers as well as restrictions on print and electronic media.........[Details]

Oct 30, 2007

CGEP Terms Pre-Election Atmosphere Unfavourable to the Prospects of Free and Fair General Election; Criticises Role of the Government, the ECP

In its 12th meeting held at Quetta on October 25, 2007, the Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP, facilitated by PILDAT, reviewed the overall political conditions in the country and noted with concern that prospects for the holding of free and fair elections in the country had been adversely affected by a number of unfortunate developments.........[Details]

Oct 26, 2007

CGEP undertakes Electoral Fact Finding Mission to Quetta

The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP undertook an Electoral Fact Finding Mission to Quetta, Balochistan from October 25-27, 2007. The Electoral Fact Finding Mission, facilitated by PILDAT, included the Group’s 12th Meeting at Quetta; Meeting with Mr. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Chief of the Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP); Interactive Seminar by the Citizens Group on National Integration and the Coming Election with representatives of political parties, civil society, academia and media in Balochistan; the Group’s meeting with the National Party leadership and its Chief Dr. Hayee Baloch and the Group’s interaction with the Governor Balochistan, Mr. Owais Ghani.........[Details]

Oct 05, 2007

Citizens’ Group Demands Polling Station Wise Progressive Results on ECP Website

Islamabad, October 5; The Citizens’ Group on Electoral Process, a Group consisting of eminent Pakistanis from the fields of law, judiciary, media, academics and research and facilitated by PILDAT (Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency) has put forward a set of key electoral reforms ahead of Elections for adoption by the Government and the Election Commission. While issuing the electoral reform proposals, CGEP highlighted that there is an urgent..........[Details]

Sep 25, 2007

Justice (Retd.) Wajihuddin resigns from Non-Partisan Election-Monitoring Citizens Group on Electoral Process - CGEP

Islamabad, September 25; Justice (Retd.) Wajihuddin Ahmed, who served as honorary chairman and member of the non-partisan election-process monitoring body, Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP, has resigned from the Group following his nomination as a Presidential Candidate by the Lawyers movement..........[Details]

Sep 11, 2007

Deportation of Nawaz Sharif is a threat to Constitutional Rule and National Sovereignty; clouds the prospects of free and fair election

Islamabad, Sept 11; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP has expressed a deep sense of alarm on the administrative and political developments leading to the deportation of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia on September 10. The Group met in Islamabad to consider the impact of recent developments on the prospects of free and fair elections in Pakistan.........[Details]

Aug 24, 2007

CGEP Seminar on “Challenges of Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan”

A Seminar was held on the topic of Challenges of Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan under the auspices of CGEP on August 24, 2007 at Islamabad. CGEP members who spoke at the public seminar included Chairman Justice (Retd.) Wajihuddin Ahmed, Former Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan; Mr. Arif Nizami, Editor, The Nation; Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin, Daily The News; Dr. Hasan-Askari Rizvi, Defence and Political Analyst..........[Details]

Aug 10, 2007

PILDAT Made Party to the Voters List Case

Islamabad, August 10; The Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry accepted the application of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (PILDAT) argued by its counsel Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and Mr. Abid Aziz to become a party to the petition filed by the PPP Chairperson regarding approximately 28 Million missing voters in the new list..........[Details]

Aug 06, 2007

PILDAT files application with Supreme Court to become a party in the Electoral Rolls petition; Demands free CNICs for missing voters in 4 months

Islamabad, August 6; Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency – PILDAT has filed an application with the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad through its counsel Mr. Shahid Hamid, Former Governor of Punjab and a member of the Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) seeking to become a party in the petition to include about 30 Million missing voters in the electoral rolls..........[Details]

Jul 02, 2007

CGEP proposes Election Code of Conduct; urges Parties & the ECP to adopt a unanimous code

Islamabad, July 2; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP has issued a proposed Election Code of Conduct for adoption by Election Commission of Pakistan, and Political Parties. The Group has urged the ECP and the Political Parties to come together to agree on a set of rules for elections now to provide a level-playing field to all stakeholders for free and fair general election.........[Details]

Jun 25, 2007

Citizens Group asks CEC to hold all-party consultation on Electoral Rolls; Offers 6-point proposals to address electoral rolls crisis

Islamabad, June 25; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP has asked the Chief Election Commissioner to urgently hold an all-party consultation on the issue of electoral rolls and take a pro-active approach to addressing the citizens concerns over the disenfranchising of over 20 million voters through the Preliminary Electoral Rolls...........[Details]

Jun 18, 2007

PILDAT expresses concern at 45 % drop in Women Voters in NWFP; 96 % in FATAs

Islamabad, June 18; Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency – PILDAT has expressed grave concern at the drastic reduction in female voters in the NWFP which has seen the number of registered female voters decreasing by 45 per cent from 3.92 million in 2002 to 2.17 million in 2007. In contrast to this significant reduction in women voters, the male voters in the province have registered a nominal reduction of less than 6 % despite...........[Details]

Jun 17, 2007

Questions about Fresh Electoral Rolls in Pakistan, PILDAT Executive Director Articulates in Daily Dawn

The Election Commission of Pakistan has started displaying the draft of the fresh computerized electoral rolls in the country for inspection by the public. The process of display and receiving of complaints and applications for additions will continue for 21 days up to July 3, 2007. The preparation of electoral rolls is one of the most important steps in the electoral process and any weakness in the process will directly impact the credibility of the election outcome...........[Details]

Mar 31, 2007

CGEP Expresses Concern over the Government’s handling of the CJ

Islamabad, March 31; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) has expressed grave concern over the government’s stance in the matter of President’s reference against the Chief Justice and the issues surrounding it. The Group in its recent meeting held in Islamabad observed that the manner in which Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was treated by the Government of Pakistan is derogatory and contemptuous of the judiciary itself...........[Details]

Feb 23, 2007

CGEP demands President not to engage in any political activity

Lahore, February 23; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process noted that it had already communicated its concerns about the manner in which the new voters’ lists were being prepared to the election commission but had not received any response so far...........[Details]

Copyright @ CGEP 2007 - 2010