The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan on Monday said that the UNDP, along with its partners, is supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in organising polls efficiently.
In an interview with Radio Pakistan, Country Director UNDP Marc-Andre Franche said the upcoming general elections would provide a historic opportunity for the country to re-order its developmental priorities.
He said one of the immediate goals of the new government formed after the elections should be to evolve consensus on some of the key reforms and changes in budgetary allocations.
He said some of the improvements in the system introduced by the commission including voters’ education, training of polling and security staff and results management were very impressive.
He was confident that following introduction of several measures, the ECP would be able to avoid the possibility of any “hood winking” of elections and results.
He said the commission was now independent and assertive, which was a good sign the strengthening of democracy in Pakistan.
He said the UNDP would also provide assistance to the ECP in organising local elections next year.
To a question, he said the presence of foreign observers would improve credibility of the electoral process.
Responding to another question, Marc-Andre Franche said Pakistan should concentrate on trade within the region.
He said trade with neighbours and sharing of experiences and innovations would help reduce poverty.
He said that Pakistan was spending even less than Congo on education in terms of percentage of GDP which was also lower spending than India and Bangladesh.
He hoped that the 18th Constitutional Amendment, devolution of power and resources to provinces, and holding of local bodies elections would bring efficiency to the overall system.