About Us
The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) is the first-ever network of civil society networks in Pakistan dedicated to strengthening democracy through observation and oversight of electoral, parliamentary, and governance processes. As many as 20 regional networks with over 500 tehsil-level civil society organizations. FAFEN is one of the most credible voices in the country for responsive, transparent, accountable, and efficient electoral, legislative, and local governance.
FAFEN’s objective are to a) educate citizens, communities, and their groups about civil liberties and political rights for effective democratic accountabilities through oversight of elections, elected assemblies, governments, and political parties; b) nurture, support, and strengthen pro-democracy civil society through investments in building capacities, developing institutions; and improving linkages; and c) strengthen voices for evidence-based and inclusive reforms to yield citizen-centered governance, free elections, effective representation, and greater enjoyment of fundamental rights, freedom, and liberties.
FAFEN has developed the capacity of over 100,000 citizens on elections and democracy, enabling them to observe General Elections in 2008, 2013, and 2018, local government elections in 2015 and 2021-2022, Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Election in 2009, 2015, and 2020 as well as the by-elections to National and Provincial Assembly. The observations by these trained and legally accredited observers is carefully analyzed to provide continuous feedback to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Parliament, and political parties for improvements in the administrative, regulatory, and legal frameworks governing elections. FAFEN’s contributions to electoral reforms have been acknowledged by the ECP, political parties, parliamentary committees, and national and international media. FAFEN was the only civil society voice to have been invited by the Supreme Court Judicial Commission, formed in 2015, to investigate the irregularities in General Election 2013 as a witness.
