FAFEN’s Performance Analysis of Women Lawmakers in the National Assembly (Jun 2014 – Feb 2015)

Women lawmakers in the National Assembly have been more active and assertive in their lawmaking and oversight role compared to their male counterparts, says a performance analysis released by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on International Women’s Day. FAFEN’s direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings shows that the women lawmakers accounted for nearly half of the parliamentary business conducted between June 2014 and February 2015 – despite the fact that they represent only 22% of the total membership.

 
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Political Parties’ Petitions with Election Tribunals February 2015 Update

Political Parties’ Petitions with Election Tribunals February 2015 Update

Only six cases were decided by the election tribunals in January 2015 bringing the total number of decided cases to 364 out of 411 (338 out of 385 by the tribunals and 26 by the ECP itself). On the other hand, 47 petitions are still awaiting decisions. The ECP constituted 14 tribunals across the country to redress election-related complaints following the 2013 General Elections. The three tribunals in Balochistan decided all the petitions to become the first and only province whose tribunals have finished their tasks.

 
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FAFEN Parliament Monitor Senate of Pakistan 110th Session Report

The 110th session of the Senate was marked by low attendance and participation of lawmakers and protest/walkouts over ministerial absence and changes in the proposed route of Pak-China Economic Corridor. As many as 54 (52%) out of 104 senators did not participate in the House proceedings. These included 20 legislators from PPPP; followed by PML-N (10); MQM (four); BNP-A, JUI-F and ANP (three each); PML (two); NP (one) and eight independent members. The session, comprising five sittings, started on January 30, 2014 and ended on February 6, 2015. On average, each sitting started 43 minutes behind the schedule and lasted two hours and 11 minutes.

 
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FAFEN Parliament Monitor: Annual Report of Balochistan Assembly (June 1, 2013 – May 31, 2014)

The 10th Balochistan Assembly witnessed a prolific first parliamentary year with the passage of 21 treasury-backed bills, including landmark legislation on domestic violence, education and rehabilitation of victims of terrorism. The House adopted 59 resolutions mostly seeking improved governance and economic development in the province. Impressively, 97 percent of the legislators participated in the House proceedings.

 
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Political Parties’ Petitions with Election Tribunals January 2015 Update

Only four cases were decided by the election tribunals in December 2014 whereas a petition decided earlier has been remanded back by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. So far 358 out of 411 post-election disputes (332 out of 385 by tribunals and 26 by ECP) have been decided, while another 53 are still pending with the tribunals.

 
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FAFEN Parliament Monitor Senate of Pakistan 109th Session Report

Low participation and attendance of legislators, debate on the deadly terrorist attack in Peshawar and the passage of the 21st Constitution Amendment marked the 109th session of Senate that ended on Tuesday. More than one-third of the legislators did not participate in the House proceedings. These included 15 legislators belonging to the PPPP, followed by ANP (five), PML-N (four), BNP-A (three), JUI-F (two) and one each from MQM and PML in addition to eight independent members.

 
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2013 General Elections Post-Election Observation and Consultations for Reforms

2013 General Elections Post-Election Observation and Consultations for Reforms

Free and Fair Election Network’s (FAFEN’s) election observation was divided in three logical phases; pre-election, Election Day and post-election. This report is based on post-election observation conducted by FAFEN observers in 124 districts across the country. Lehri and Sohbatpur in Balochistan and Korangi in Sindh were not treated as separate districts in this report as they were granted the status of district after 2013 General Elections while National Assembly constituencies in Muzaffargarh, Kohlu and Khyber Agency were not observed.

 
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Political Parties’ Petitions with Election Tribunals December 2014 Update

Only seven cases were decided by the election tribunals in November 2014 – bringing the total number of decided cases to 355 out of 4111(329 out of 385 by the tribunals and 26 by the ECP itself). On the other hand, 56 petitions are still awaiting decisions. Of the 355 cases, 154 (128 by the tribunals and 26 by the ECP itself) have been dismissed on grounds of technical deficiencies, implying that the merits of the petitions were not adjudicated on. Thirty-nine petitions have been accepted; 23 dismissed due to non-prosecution; 29 dismissed as withdrawn and 95 dismissed after complete trial. The reasons for dismissal of 15 petitions are not known to FAFEN due to non-availability of their copies of orders despite continuous efforts to obtain them.

 
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Political Parties’ Petitions with Election Tribunals – November 2014 Update

The election tribunals decided six cases in October 2014 bringing the total number of decided cases to 348 out of 411 (322 of 385 by the tribunals and 26 by the ECP itself) while 63 petitions are pending. Of the decided 348 cases, 153 (127 by the tribunals and 26 by the ECP itself) have been dismissed on grounds of technical deficiencies implying that the merits of the petitions were not adjudicated on. Thirty-eight (38) petitions have been accepted, 23 dismissed due to non-prosecution, 29 dismissed as withdrawn and 89 dismissed after complete trial. The reasons for dismissal of 16 petitions are not known to FAFEN due to unavailability of copies of orders despite continuous efforts to obtain them.

 
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Senate Session Marked by 6 Walkouts; Two Ordinances Tabled

ISLAMABAD, October 31, 2014: The Senate witnessed introduction of two ordinances aimed to facilitate the conduct of local government elections, six walkouts and absence of the Prime Minister during the 108th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network in its preliminary report based on direct observation. Three legislations − a private member’s bill and two ordinances − appeared on the session’s agenda. Both ordinances − the Electoral Rolls (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and the Delimitation of Constituencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 − were introduced in the House while a private member’s bill seeking to revise powers, immunities and privileges of parliamentarians was withdrawn by the mover.

 
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