Civil society of Allai district Battagram demanded for early Local Government Election on party basis  

Human Rights programme of Sungi arranged one day political education seminar on LG election in Allai on March 15, 2011. 70 social and political activists, ex-LG councilors, media person attended the seminars.   

Mr. Behram Sumandar a renowned Pashto Poet and HDR activist recited a Pashto Poem to highlight Allai’s issues and the zeal of the people to fight against the issues they faced. Mr. Umair, Inayat-ur-Rehman and Niaz Khan were among the other speakers. Umair a political activist said that in Allai 80% politics is based on old tradition tribal system. People of Allai are much enthusiastic during the election days. They consider it their prime obligation to start campaign in favour of their candidates. They use all means and resources to support their candidates in the election but they never ask their elected member about the development of their area and the members too are found less interested in people’s issue.  

Mr. Inayat a social activist said that due to illiteracy and lack of political activism, people take their deprivations for granted and there is political stagnancy in the Tehsil. Speakers also highlighted their issue and said that there is no college, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, and other basic amenities in Allai.     

Manager Human Rights Sungi gave detailed history of LG system and compare the previous 3 LG system. He told the people about merits and merits of LG system 2001.  Comparing the two systems he said that bureaucratic system was started in the year 1853 A.D while the LG system was started in the year 2000 A.D. The LG system is in its infancy stage at the moment and it needs some more time to function according to the wishes of the people. He said let the people get experienced the system more and see its results in a couple of years. He added that these people if given authority can lead the area to a developmental path. In civil bureaucracy there is gap between lay man and the institutions and weak accountability system while elected representatives are accountable to each and every voter and there is less chances of misuse of power and authority. We cannot afford another dictatorial era in the form of supremacy of bureaucrats which are not accountable to the people he said.  

He also emphasized on the provincial government take the LG serious and announces election immediately and on party basis. He said that i n pursuance of Article 140A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that requires provinces to establish, by law, a LG system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the LG, we the citizens of Pakistan, representatives of civil society organizations, media, and ex-elected representatives reaffirms: 

THAT elected LG is an important foundation and an essential component of democracy; 

THAT democracy cannot function unless it builds on institutionalized mechanisms that can ensure participation of people in decision-making processes that affect their daily lives; 

THAT LG gives citizens freedom to participate in decisions that are locally appropriate and serve the needs of local community; 

THAT existing LG ordinance enjoys the support of a majority of the citizens of Pakistan, albeit the need for reforms that does not have an implication on the current structure of voting and representation.

NOW in view of this, we demand of the government to: 

·         RESOLVE its commitment to continuance and protection of the LG system. 

·         IMMEDIATELY announce the date of elections for all tiers of the LG. 

·         CONDUCT elections to the LG under the auspices of the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure uniform and national standards of the conduct of elections. 

·         HOLD LG election on political party basis .  

MAINTAIN or increase representation of women, peasants, workers and minorities in LG institutions and enhance their ability to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes through amendments in the LG Ordinance.