Faisalabad: April 27, 2011. (PCP) On 19 April 2011, Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRE) organized an open forum titled “Free and Fair Electoral Process: Challenges and Resolves” held at Quaid-e-Azam Hall in Faisalabad. This forum was joined by 140 Muslim and Christian participants from different schools of thought. The main purpose of organizing this forum was to identify the hurdles in the way of fair and transparent electoral process which hinders the enforcement of democratic culture in our society, and to find out the ways to combat obstacles in the electoral process. The speakers of the open forum included; Samson Salamat (Director-CHRE), Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Riffat Sultana Dar (MPA-PPPP), Mian Tahir Ayub (Jamiat Islami), Sajad Haider Khan (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf), Malik Irfan Ashraf (Muthida Qaumi Movement), Arif Ayaz (Workers Party Pakistan), Sakina Chaudhry Advocate and Naeem Haroon. Samson Salamat said, “The establishment must fulfill its duties as enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan, and must avoid its unnecessary interference in the political process for the prosperous future of Pakistan, because establishment has played its key role throughout the political history of Pakistan, in the formation of new political parties, and in rigging the elections for forming the government of its choice as a result of the election.” Naseem Anthony said, “Public should keep check and balance on the performance of elected representatives, and must urge them to play their part for the protection of rights of marginalized groups as per manifesto of their concerned political parties.” Shazia George said, “Free, fair and transparent electoral process is imperative for strong democracy, therefore political parties should support democratic process and system, and must not become a part of undemocratic forces wishing to derail and bulldoze the democratic system in Pakistan.” Riffat Sultana Dar said, “All eligible voters especially women should cast their vote independently and on merit, not on the family, caste, religious, ethnic affiliation/influence, and accountability process should be initiated across the board for the prevalence of democracy in a true sense.” Arif Ayaz said, “Fair election is the need of the public, not of the rulers, therefore public should cast vote in favour of those candidates who have good reputation and have roots in community, and must reject corrupt tendency of buying and selling of votes for corruption free Pakistan.” Malik Irfan Ashraf said, “The problems of lower middle and working class will not come to an end unless people identify new leadership and elect their true representative from their own class, for bringing about a positive and effective change in the society.” Sajad Haider Khan said, “Election commission carries the significance for democracy like spinal cord for the body, therefore, election commission should be independent and a man of integrity, and should make concrete policies to deal with the hurdles in fair electoral process, and must ensure the corruption free monitoring of election campaign.” Mian Tahir Ayub said, “The survival of Pakistan is embedded in the continuation of democratic system, therefore public must support democracy and reject political parties failing to provide relief to the common people, because incompetence of govt. to deliver as per its commitments does not imply failure of democracy.” At this juncture, the participants approved a resolution calling upon the government that: The chief election commissioner must be appointed with the consultation of opposition and govt. allies after asserting his credibility, reputation and impartiality; Intra party elections should be held as per the constitution of all political parties, whereas inheritance in the political parties should be discouraged and decisions within the party should be made in accordance with democratic norms and values; The election commission should be independent, and should constitute a system in collaboration with NADRA for registration of voters at the time of issuance of Computerized National Identity Card (CNICs).