Secretary Election Commission Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here on Tuesday and apprised him of the preparation of reforms being undertaken by the Commission to ensure fair, transparent and credible elections in the country. The Secretary informed the Prime Minister about Election Commission of Pakistan’s Strategic Plan 2010-14 which has been prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders including all political parties, civil society and media.
He informed the Prime Minister that the Computerized Electoral Rolls are being prepared in collaboration with NADRA and current door to door verification throughout Pakistan is underway until September 2011, and that final Computerized Electoral Rolls will be ready by April 2012. Secretary Election Commission thanked the Prime Minister for extending full support to make Election Commission of Pakistan an autonomous.
Regarding the Local Bodies Elections, the Secretary informed the Prime Minister that after the 18th Amendment, holding of Local Bodies Elections was also the responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan and the Provincial Governments are being asked to make necessary legislation in this regard so that Elections could be held accordingly.
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts being made by the Election Commission of Pakistan under the guidance of Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza in order to complete the reforms agenda.
Prime Minister Gilani also directed that instructions should be issued to all the Ministries/Divisions to prepare a strategic plan for five years on the pattern of election Commission of Pakistan so that all Ministries have goals and objectives and sense of direction.
In terms of good governance, the Prime Minister observed that there was a need to create a mechanism at Prime Minister’s Secretariat to remove the disconnect between the national institutions of the state so they can sit together and find out solutions pertaining to security, strategic issues and good governance.
The Prime Minister said local bodies’ elections may be held in 2012 after the finalization of Computerized Electoral Rolls in April 2012.
