ISLAMABAD – The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai, and the Country Director of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza, on Wednesday signed an agreement to provide US$ 5.9 million over three years (2017–2020) to support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and to further strengthen its capacity to hold elections.
This project will build upon UNDP’s longstanding commitment to developing the capacity of key democratic institutions including provincial and national assemblies and the ECP itself.
Addressing the accord signing ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan said, ”I believe that both the Election Commission and UNDP will play their role to make the upcoming election credible and transparent; which surely will be a great achievement of democracy and development for all people of Pakistan.”
“The long-standing partnership between UNDP, Japan and the ECP is instrumental in building a foundation for democratic governance and sustainable, inclusive development in Pakistan. With the generous funding from Japan, this project will help build the institutional and technical capacity of the ECP to conduct credible and inclusive elections, enhance participation, especially by young voters and women, and work with UNESCO on building a media landscape in which election proceedings are covered accurately and objectively,” said Mr Ignacio Artaza.
“The ECP’s successful partnership with UNDP under its electoral assistance project continues to enhance the professional capacity of the Commission’s staff and election officials, in addition to further increase transparency of the process through the use of modern technologies. We are pleased to continue our partnership with UNDP in our effort to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, and to help create an informed and motivated electorate,” said Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Secretary, ECP.
In the run-up to the 2018 general election, this project will train election officials and educate voters, in addition, to support the ECP in modernizing the process through the use of technology. During the election itself, the project will assist in improving voting operations and results management.
Thereafter, support will shift towards strengthening sustainable electoral institutions.This contribution from Japan bolsters the existing support from UK Aid and USAID, thus allowing UNDP to build upon its ongoing work to strengthen electoral and legislative processes in Pakistan.
