PRWSWO

Supporting Transparency, Accountability and Electoral Processes in Pakistan

The project followed DFID support to the “Supporting Transparency, Accountability and Electoral Processes in Pakistan” project (2011-2014) and European Union’s Long-Term Election Observation and Oversight Project (2012-2014). Both projects were implemented by FAFEN. Learning from STEAP, the proposed action will have increased focus on more representative citizens’ groups for greater community buy-in; ensure increased participation of women and other socially marginalized section of society, and to create synergies with organizations working on similar issues. To bring the issues of governance to political mainstream, TDEA-FAFEN further streamlined and strengthened its work with political parties through increased engagement at all levels. Between elections, it is essential to continue laying the foundation for successful administration of elections and greater public participation in electoral processes.

This one-year project is designed to enable FAFEN partners to continue to play its role in influencing the current public and political discourse on electoral reforms on the basis of the findings of its extensive election observation of the 2013 General Election and evidence-based recommendations. FAFEN has successfully implemented its electoral reform agenda as well as inclusion of critical election-related reforms in the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

PRWSWO being one of implementing partner worked in District Rahimyarkhan for this project in year 2015 targeting populations of traditionally disenfranchised citizens including youth, women and religious minorities and the poor. The project directly involved elected representatives, government officials, political parties, religious leaders and the election administration at district level. It took into account related initiatives by other agencies to avoid duplication and build synergies.

The primary focus of the project was on developing new, and strengthening existing relationships between rights-holders and duty-bearers, to enable citizens’ voices to be channeled into administrative, regulatory and legislative reforms, enabling improved electoral, legislative and local governance. These approaches were delivered to increase value for money for donors and more sustainable civil society voice and accountability in Pakistan.