Pakistani general election, 2013
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| This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Pakistan |
The Pakistan General elections of 2013 are schedualed and will be held to elect the MPs for the14th National Assembly of the Parliament of Pakistan. The current 13th National Assembly is expected to complete its constutitional term on or before 18 March, 2013. By this date, the National Assembly, a national lowe house, will complete its constitutional tenure, five years from the first session of the National Assembly elected during the 2008 general election. Elections must be held within 60 days after Parliament has been dissolved. Therefore, the election must take place no later than 17 May 2013.[1]
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[edit]Background
Main article: Long March (Pakistan)
In mid-January, Sufi clefic Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri led a Long March from Lahore to Islamabad demanding electoral reforms, the quick dissolution of the National Assembly and a precise date for the election. Though the march attracted abut 40,000 individuals, it was far short of the expected over a million protesters.
[edit]Overview
Pakistan has a Westminster system which is a democratic parliamentary system of governmentmodelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. Members are elected through the first-past-the-postsystem under universal adult suffrage, representing electoral districts known as the constituencies of Pakistan. According to the constitution, there are 70 seats reserved for women and religious minorities. They are allocated to the political parties according to their proportional representation.[2]
[edit]Electoral roll
With assistance from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems activities in Asia, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced the printing of computerized electoral rolls, the first of its kind database which resulted in the elimination of 35 million bogus voters off the list.[3] The new computerized system was funded by USAID.[4] Approximately 40 million young Pakistanis will be voting for the first time in the upcoming elections, out of a registered electorate of 90 million.[5] On 24th January 2013, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) approved electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming general elections, empowering itself in a manner similar to their Indian counterparts. According to the approved reforms, the entire government machinery would come under the authority of the Election Commission once the election schedule is announced. Another clause in the reforms also empowers the commission with administrative authority with the announcement of the election schedule. Moreover, the commission would be allowed to make transfers and postings of high ranking officials including IGs, secretaries and chief secretaries. The motive behind these reforms is to ensure transparency of the upcoming general elections, which the Chief Election Commissioner had termed crucial.[6]
[edit]Process
During elections in Pakistan, a political party must secure 172 seats (51% of total seats) in the National Assembly of Pakistan to obtain a majority or else the elections will result in a hung parliament.[7] If a political party with the most votes is either unable or unwilling to form a coalition government within a certain time-frame, a runoff election will be carried out.[8]
[edit]U.S. monitor recommendations
The National Democratic Institution have stated the elections will be a “historical transition.” An NDI assessment mission — consisting of Canada’s former prime minister Joe Clark, former Indonesian House of Representatives member Nursanita Nasution, Chatham House senior fellow Xenia Dormandy and NDI Asia programmes director Peter Manikas — released its findings at a press briefing in Islamabadafter its observation of Pakistan’s political framework.
The mission visited Pakistan from December 16 to December 21 and met with election authorities, government officials, party leaders, media and citizen monitoring groups. Joe Clark commended the cooperation of all parties, especially in adopting measures to bring theFederally Administered Tribal Areas under the political umbrella. Clark stated that the 18th Amendment to the constitution reflects the parliament’s integrity and commitment towards a fair democratic handover. Nursanita Nasution highlighted the need to address the rights of women in the polling process so that “fear and intimidation in high-risk areas such as Baluchistan, FATA, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwaand Karachi” would not strip women of the opportunity to vote. Xenia Dormandy suggested “improving accessibility and adjusting locations” of women polling stations closer to those for men so that they could travel with the men in their families to vote. Sandra Houston, Regional Director of NDI, stated “We are impressed with the cooperation of all the stakeholders in assuring a smooth transition,” sharing that voters have been registered with Computerised National Identity Cards and biometrics including photographs where possible.[9]
A US delegation consisting of Senator Carl Levin, US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olsen and Armed Services Committee SenatorJack Reed visited Pakistan on 8 January 2013 for talks with Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. The delegation stated to the Government that not only the US, but the world would observe the 2013 general elections in Pakistan with great interest.[10]
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