Publications
Here you find the latest publications of Democracy Reporting International’s Electoral Reform Project in Pakistan.
Briefing Paper 23, December 2011
Out-of-Country Voting: Principles and Practices
This paper argues that out-of-country voting can be an important measure of expanding suffrage, but that it needs to meet international standards for elections, such as transparency and secrecy. Therefore, before introducing voting from abroad, the technical arrangements and their implications must be carefully assessed and consulted with all relevant stakeholders.
Briefing Paper 23 (PDF, 281 kB)
Briefing Paper 15, July 2011
No Voice: The Exclusion of Women from Voting
Briefing Paper 15 discusses the exclusion of women from the voting process. It includes recommendations for more effective enforcement of the existing legal framework and for strengthening the legal framework to facilitate the participation of female voters. It encourages relevant institutions and stakeholders, including the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and political parties, to proactively and consistently facilitate women’s inclusion in voting.
Briefing Paper 15: No voice: The Exclusion of Women from Voting (PDF, 267 kB)
Briefing Paper 12, May 2011
Electoral Law Reform Processes: Key Elements for Success
A country’s electoral laws affect the ‘rules of the game’ in a democracy. It is therefore vital that the process of developing election legislation receives careful and considered attention. This paper describes a number of technical requirements that should be fulfilled to make the process effective and efficient.
English (PDF, 263 kB)
Report, May 2011
Balochistan Local Election Framework Assessment
Balochistan was the first province to enact a law for the restoration of self governance in Pakistan. DRI has analysed the law and identified areas where further reform is needed.
Balochistan Local Election Framework Assessment (PDF, 296 kB)
Briefing Paper 11, April 2011
Electronic Voting Machines: The Promise and Perils of a New Technology
The introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) to conduct elections is a major step for any country. EVMs are often perceived as a modern tool of governance; however, decisions on EVMs should be taken with extreme care. While they offer much promise, there are also many perils to be overcome.
Briefing Paper 11/ April 2011 (PDF, 245 kB)
Dawn.com, 5 March 2011
Democracy at the local level
The pace of democratic development in Pakistan has been steady since 2008, but further significant reforms , particularly at local level, are needed to ensure sustained civilian rule argue DRI Pakistan Country Director, Katherine Vittum, and DRI Co-Director, Geoffrey Weichselbaum.
View article
Briefing Paper 9, February 2011
Pakistan’s 2013 Elections: Testing the Political Climate and the Democratisation Process
There is a lot of scepticism about Pakistan's democratisation, but there have been achievements. It is time for Pakistani and international actors to reinvigorate their engagement for democracy ahead of the 2013 elections.
Briefing Paper 9 / February 2011 (PDF, 223 kB)
Briefing paper 05, August 2010
The 18th amendment to the constitution and electoral reform in pakistan
In April 2010 Pakistan Parliament adopted the 18th Amendment of the constitution, which restored parliamentary democracy. This Briefing Paper provides information on the background of the 18th amendment, its impact on election reform, identification of further reforms to be undertaken in primary legislation and conclusions.
Read more
Briefing paper 04, July 2010
Pakistan’s reservations to the international covenant on civil and political rights
The Government of Pakistan acceded to the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 23 June 2010, but entered numerous reservations to the Covenant. This paper argues that the wide-ranging reservations are incompatible with international law and recommend that the Government consider withdrawing them.
Read more
Briefing paper 03, July 2010
Pakistan’s local government reform and electoral arrangements
Throughout Pakistan’s history, local government has been an object of political manoeuvring, rather than a recognised layer of government. For the country's further democratisation It is imperative that elected local government be established as a regular feature and that the electoral arrangements are in line with international obligations and good practices. This report looks at the history of local government in Pakistan, analyses the current debates and recommends key principles for genuine local government elections
Read more
ESG Key Principles
Key Principles for Local Government Elections
In the process of reforming the electoral arrangements for local government bodies in all four provinces of Pakistan, key principles for democratic elections should be respected.
Key Principles for Local Government Elections (PDF, 136 kB)
Briefing paper 02, April 2010
International covenant on civil and political rights:
Pakistan’s new international obligations and election reform
The government of Pakistan signed the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 17 April 2008 and is now in the process of Ratification, the ICCPR contains obligations related to democratic Elections. This briefing paper highlights the implications of signing and ratification of the ICCPR for Electoral Reform in Pakistan.
Read more
The Guardian Newspaper, 20 April 2010
Pakistan’s maturing Democracy
Despite its violent, dysfunctional image, recent reforms have restored key features of the country's founding constitution.
By Democracy Reporting International's Director Michael Meyer and Hannah Roberts, Special Advisor in Pakistan.
View article
