The Asia Foundation and Election Commission of Pakistan Sign MoU to Strengthen Democratic Processes and Electoral Practices
July 6, 2023 — On June 22, The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and The Asia Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strategically supporting the ECP in and strengthening institutional mechanisms to ensure a democratic culture, electoral practices and to enhance the credibility of election results and processes through coordinated efforts.
The MoU was signed by the Secretary of the ECP, Omar Hamid Khan, and The Asia Foundation’s Pakistan Senior Advisor, Harris Qayyum.
Secretary of the ECP Omar Hamid Khan signs the MoU between the ECP and The Asia Foundation at the ECP Secretariat Islamabad.
The Secretary of the ECP, Omar Hamid Khan, said “We value the collaboration with The Asia Foundation and believe that our joint efforts will contribute to a more inclusive electoral process,” further adding, “By focusing on citizen awareness and education, we are committed to empowering every eligible Pakistani to actively engage in the democratic process.”
Under this MoU, The Asia Foundation and the ECP will collaborate closely to address key challenges and promote fair and transparent elections in Pakistan. The partnership will focus on enhancing institutional mechanisms necessary for conducting credible and inclusive elections while emphasizing citizen awareness and participation.
The Asia Foundation brings expertise to support the ECP in developing and strengthening institutional mechanisms, including in technical assistance, digitization, capacity building, and sharing international best practices. The aim is to ensure that the ECP has the necessary tools and resources to conduct elections with integrity and transparency.
The MoU also places significant importance on citizen voter awareness and participation, particularly among vulnerable groups. The Asia Foundation and the ECP will work together to encourage and facilitate the active involvement of all citizens in Pakistan’s general and local elections. By promoting inclusivity and ensuring equal access to the electoral process, the partnership seeks to empower citizens and increase their understanding of democratic principles.
The Election Commission of Pakistan welcomes this partnership as a crucial step towards ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in the country.
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region is focused on good governance, women’s empowerment and gender equality, inclusive economic growth, environment and climate action, and regional and international relations.
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