Improving the Election Process
In 2006, in advance of the 2008 general elections, we launched an unprecedented effort to support free and fair elections. Our in-country approach to election observation is long-term, indigenous, nationwide, and statistically robust. Despite rapidly changing circumstances, we supported a network of 30 Pakistani civil society organizations— the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)—in conducting Pakistan's first valid statistical audit of a draft voters' list. We undertook long-term pre-election observation, mobilized nearly 20,000 election observers on election day, conducted Pakistan's first Parallel Vote Tabulation, and educated voters. FAFEN's work did not end there, but continues to work to increase accountability and transparency. In July 2009, we began a new effort that expanded FAFEN's scope of work to improve the responsiveness of elected representatives to their constituents, enhance electoral reforms and citizen participation in democratic processes, improve civic education on democratic rights and responsibilities, and build media capacity to report on democracy and governance.