Political parties can not flourish and expand until and unless the democratic values with their true letter and spirit are not being exercised within the party. For the said purpose, we need to have an organized structure within the party. The qualitative organizational structure can only be effective and fully functional with in a political party when it’s been endorsed and qualified by its members and its workers. This objective can only be achieved by holding of democratic and periodic elections of the party leaders. The intra-party elections are the only mechanism which gives ownership of a political party to its workers and members. The said mechanism is as crucial, as it determines the future ambitions and aspirations of the party workers and its members and transforms their will into party’s policy outcomes.

As we have recently seen how intra-party elections were conducted in Labour Party UK where two brothers contested against each other. None of them questioned the credibility of the elections, even the difference was marginal.

At least with mutual consent and understanding of all stake holders/members/workers, here in UK, we can initiate the process of “Democratization of PTI” by holding free and fair intra-party elections. For this purpose we need to agree on some fundamentals like

• Equal level playing field for the contestants
• Equal and open participation of members in election process
• Full and unqualified access to information  to participating candidates
• Membership Closure date should be the day when election schedule be announced
• On very same day, the administration of Funds should be handed over to PTI’s Central Secretariat in Pakistan
• Assurance of  transparency in the system by announcing an independent election commission and polling observatory body (third party)
• Scrutiny of electoral lists (members lists)

Recent political developments in the world generally and particularly in Pakistan would have significant impact in Pakistan’s political future. We need to adhere this process on urgent basis so that we could cohesively play our part in this change and make public opinion favourable to PTI.  Your suggestions and proposals are well come but refrain any personal or derogatory remarks!

Many thanks

Mansoor Zia
[email protected]

Dear UK Insafians.
Elections are imminent. Everybody and all the groups are for Elections. The question is about Election Commission. We in UK have waited since 4th February gor Election Commission announcement. UK affairs are not dealt by CEC or Secretary General. Imran Khan hold all the decision making powers about International chapter. We as political workers should understand the politics within. I request all the stakeholders to sit on one table and devise the Election Commission and procedures relating impartial, fair Elections. Once we agreed we can let the Chairman know and hold Elections for the chapters first and then for UK body. I have already submitted the proposals to Chairman and I am awaiting all the stake holders’ efforts at the moment and I assure you that we shall have a meeting with all the stakeholders on one table with agenda to Elect Commission and discuss and make the decisions regarding procedures of Elections. I welcome efforts being made by Khawaja Nadir, Shabir Barlas and Jawad Bhatti. I advise them they should come out with proposals for Election Commission and procedures.

I would not be in favour of holding elections which are moderated by fellow PTI members, there is inevitable conflicts arising from this issue.

We should look at utilizing the UK Election Commission to bring fairness/transparency within the election process. The Commission has vast experience and understanding of conducting elections and their record is highly spoken of.

I believe using them eliminates any potential 'flaws' which anyone can speak of once the results have been announced.

PTI members can bring a change or revolution in Pakistan if they are capable of creating democratic institutions within and that can only be achieved through fair, free and transparent Elections adhering to the principles laid in PTI Constitution. I hope all the members and leaders shall strive to achieve democratic values within party to bring the best out of members. 2011 should be the year to build the institutions within and 2012 shall be the year of movement and 2013 can give us landslide in Elections.  In the name of unity or consensus people are pretending to be leaders but not face the masses who shall be choosing their leaders.

PTI UK Members are waiting for Election Commission to be announced by CEC. For revolution or Change it is very important to have competent Leadership to emerge. We have to overcome the obstacles of last 14 years. The lack of democratic leadership has led us in the political wilderness in the past but time has come for change within and that change only will come through free, fair and transparent Elections according to Constitution. All the relative parties should be given level playing field. Accounts should be held by Impartial Election Commission. PTI Constitution provides the provision to announce permanent Election Commission for 5 years. Delay in the process provides confusion and politics being played within. There should be no hint of Partiality. The process shall provide extra activity in PTI. Already Notification of 24^th December has given hope to our members new or old to work harder and get in touch in their relative communities. The new chapters shall generate extra logistics for PTI in Pakistan and also the constituencies in Pakistan.

Charitable work can carry on but two separate institutions should be set up one for politics and the other for Imran Khan Projects.