Daily Times

While the government keeps on borrowing from foreign countries and financial institutions, it is letting grants lapse. Reportedly, one worth eight million Euros offered by the European Union (EU) to ensure free and fair elections was allowed to expire. This was offered in 2016 as a part of the EU’s assistance to introduce electoral reforms aimed at capacity building of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials.

Bureaucratic red tape may be the reason why this grant could not be accepted, but the situation also reveals the lack of government’s commitment to improve the capacity of ECP. At a time when the latter is trying to update its systems and processes, and introduce latest technology in its operations to keep a check on violations of the electoral code, it makes little sense that the government would let the opportunity pass willingly.

Successive governments have failed to effectively work towards full-scale capacity development of the ECP. The EU grant was meant for the same purpose. It remains to be seen if the implementation of Election Bill will be prioritised by the government.

The EU grant had reportedly been offered with conditions related to the country’s human rights record. The government needs to explain as to why the grant offer was allowed to run out. If it has something to do with departmental negligence, action should be taken against those responsible. This is the election year and the government should focus on arrangements that facilitate implementation of election reforms. If it thinks that the country’s own resources will be enough for the purpose, then too, the facts of the matter must be disclosed. Those who made the decision to let the offer pass on behalf of the Pakistani people must come forward and admit their responsibility.  *

Published in Daily Times, January 16^th 2018.