Media urged to apprise voters about electoral procedure | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Media urged to apprise voters about electoral procedure

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Participants of a training workshop have said that media should not only play the role of critical watchdogs during upcoming general election 2018 but also inform citizens about conduct of election, political parties and their manifestoes.

They expressed these view during three days long training workshop on election laws, role of political parties in articulating interests of their constituents and role of media/journalists as civic educators organized by Individualland Pakistan with the collaboration of Tabeer-Consolidating Democracy in Pakistan, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

They said that media is important organ of the state and it should keep close on eye on every incident during upcoming general election to be held on July 25, for ensuring transparent election in the country.

They event also focused on the need of balanced and objective reporting while reporting event related to upcoming election. The objecting and impractical reporting of both print and electronic can help avoid unnecessary adventure in politics.

During the workshop different training sessions was held regarding reporting of politics and political parties, media role in efficient functioning of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), what is new in election act 2017 and the code of conduct issued by ECP for media coverage of general election 2018.

Media persons from both print and electronic media organizations attended the workshop. Election expert Shabbir Ahmed, Mazhar Laghari and Khurram Malik from the Tabeer were spoke on the occasion.

Shabbir Ahmed, an Elections expert sensitized journalists on the new elections act 2017. For the first time domestic and international observation included in the law, he said.

Ahmed also spoke at length about transparency and accountability during election. He said the ECP must share the rule its made and get their feedback. He said the ECP needs to introduce results transmission system under which provisional result must be shared with by returning officer with the ECP by 2:00 am after mid night of election day.

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