DRL FUNDING FOR 2007 PAKISTAN ELECTIONS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 004595

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM PK
SUBJECT: DRL FUNDING FOR 2007 PAKISTAN ELECTIONS


Classified By: Derived from DSCG 05-01, d


1. (C) Summary: Post has designed an electoral support
strategy in order to promote free and fair elections national
and provincial elections in 2007. In order to implement
fully the various aspects of this strategy, we will require
dedicated funding support from DRL to complement our USAID DG
and PAS funding, which will support other aspects of the
electoral support program. For funding to be effective, we
will need to begin now to solicit specific election-related
proposals with the intention of seeing implementation as
early as June 2006. Post requests that DRL make funds
available and solicit proposals for the following projects
discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs:

International Election Observation including Parallel Vote
Count
Development of an Election Code of Conduct
Voter Education Activities in the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas
Training of Police Forces on Election Security

End Summary

Election Observation: Estimated Cost $10-20 million


2. (C) Opposition political parties and the general public
understandably have a low-level of confidence in election
processes in Pakistan. Fraud and rigging of elections, up to
and including the 2005 local bodies contest, have occurred
with great regularity in the nomination, campaign, voting,
and counting phases. Post believes, therefore, that it will
be imperative to ensure that international observation covers
all of these phases in an effort to provide both
international validation of the contest and increased
confidence in the results. Given the persistent allegations
of rigging during the counting process, a parallel vote count
needs to be included as part of the observation. Post has
discussed the need for international observation with other
donors. While there is uniform agreement on the need for
such a mission, there is, as yet, no readiness on the part of
other local missions to commit to funding. As it will take
significant time for any implementing partner to organize the
observation and parallel vote count, we strongly recommend
that DRL move immediately to conduct a limited solicitation
by invitation (NDI, IRI, IFES, Carter Center, etc.) and award
a grant to enable an international NGO to begin this process.
We will look to DRL to determine the necessary funding level
and to coordinate with other donor nations on their
contributions to this process.

Election Code of Conduct: Estimated Cost $500,000


3. (C) Developing an electoral code of conduct that is
agreeable to all parties will be essential during the 2007
election process. In the past, the code has been imposed on
parties by the Election Commission with no consultation and
had significant loopholes that have been routinely exploited
by the ruling party. For this reason, post believes that
international technical assistance will be necessary (1) to
ensure that the code adequately prevents any behavior that
could unduly prejudice the outcome of the election and (2) to
facilitate negotiations among the parties and with the
Election Commission. PAS is willing to use its Speaker's
Program to fund travel and support of one or more
international experts for this process. Additional support
from DRL will allow for the participation of additional
experts including from the region. Development of an
Electoral Code of Conduct will need to take place in December
2006/January 2007 in order to meet the likely election
timeframe of late 2007. Funding for this activity can occur
from FY 07 funds, but the solicitation and award process will
need to take place in October for this to occur.

Voter Education: Estimated Cost $1 million


4. (C) Political transformation of the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas (FATA) is a high-priority USG objective. The
2007 National Assembly elections are a key opportunity to
begin this transformation and to expand the franchise beyond
the small number who traditionally vote from this region.
Post believes that additional voter education/"get out the
vote campaigns" particularly targeting women are an essential
component of holding a credible election in this area in

2007. We look to DRL to finance such education through a
grant to an international NGO through a limited selection
process. NGOs would need to be strongly encouraged to
utilize established local partners as a key component of
their program given the difficulties of working in the FATA.

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Training of Police: Estimated Cost $250,000


5. (S/NF) In advance of the 2005 local bodies elections, post
successfully engaged with the GOP to prevent the involvement
of intelligence agencies in the electoral process. With this
channel of manipulation closed, provincial and district
governments turned to the local police to intimidate, harass,
and manipulate candidates and voters. We believe that
training of District Police Officers on the appropriate
methodology for providing security during an election can
help to inculcate a sense of professionalism within the
force, thereby limiting abuses. In addition, given the
violent nature of Pakistani polls, professional training may
well help to increase security. Post already has an active
police training program run through DOJ's ICITAP. We
recommend for this reason that DRL transfer necessary funds
to ICITAP to carry out this additional specialized training
approximately two months in advance of the election date.

Comment


6. (C) Post appreciates DRL's consideration and prompt
funding of these proposals. We believe that these discreet
programs will play a crucial role in ensuring free and fair
elections in Pakistan and will build on USAID and PAS work in
complementary areas.
CROCKER