Participants of a training workshop on Thursday said that media should not only play the role of critical watchdogs during the upcoming general elections 2018 but also inform citizens about conduct of election, political parties and their manifestos. They expressed these opinions during a three-day training workshop on election laws, role of political parties in articulating interests of their constituents and role of media/journalists as civic educators organised by Individualland Pakistan with the collaboration of Tabeer – Consolidating Democracy in Pakistan. They said that media is an important organ of the state and it should keep a close eye on every incident during the upcoming general elections which are to be held on July 25, for ensuring transparent elections in the country. They event also focused on the need for balanced and objective reporting. During the workshop, different training sessions were held regarding reporting of politics and political parties, media role in efficient functioning of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), what is new in election act 2017 and the code of conduct issued by ECP for media coverage of general election 2018. Media persons from both print and electronic organisations attended the workshop. Election expert Shabbir Ahmed, Mazhar Leghari and Khurram Malik from Tabeer spoke on the occasion. Shabbir Ahmed sensitised journalists on the new elections act 2017. For the first time domestic and international observation is included in the law, he said. Ahmed also spoke at length about transparency and accountability during elections. He said that ECP needs to introduce results transmission system under which provisional results must be shared with and by returning officers with ECP by 2am after mid night of the election-day. Similar trainings will also be organised in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. Published in Daily Times, June 29th 2018.