Partnership for Democracy and Governance
January 2009
Since its launch in 2003, USAID's Democracy and Governance program has provided $81.2 million to strengthen Pakistan's parliamentary institutions, enhance electoral processes and improve the ability of Government of Pakistan (GOP) institutions to deliver services to Pakistanis.
Developing Strong Legislatures
USAID provides assistance to government officials in Pakistan's National Assembly, Senate and four provincial assemblies. The goal of this program is to enhance effectiveness of parliamentarians through trainings on rules of procedure, effective functioning of the committee system, drafting legislation, budget review and oversight. The USAID program also aims to improve lawmakers' access to analysis and data; provides assistance and equipment to key committees; expands press coverage of parliament by training journalists; and strengthens the oversight capacity of national and provincial legislatures. Since the beginning of the program, there have been notable positive changes in the way government conducts businesses: trainings for parliamentarians in budget analysis have made the budgeting process more transparent and trainings for parliamentarian committee members have resulted in improved oversight of public hearings and summoning of witnesses, and addressing substantive issues. USAID is designing and will construct the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), which will provide training, orientation, analysis and staff support to parliamentary members.
Strengthing Electoral Processes
Through technical assistance, capacity development and institutional restructuring, USAID works closely with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure there is a credible electoral administration and an impartial electoral framework. The program also includes on-going legal reviews of existing legislation that instruct governing bodies on how to improve the electoral legislative framework.
For the February 2008 elections USAID supported a network of 40 civil society organizations under its Free and Fair Elections Network (FAFEN) project. The project educated voters on issues ranging from casting a ballot to election-related intimidation. Through FAFEN, USAID funded 20,000 domestic observers who worked in over 40,000 polling stations helping to ensure free and fair elections.
USAID also funded a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) multi-donor election project that trained 600,000 poll workers and other election officials.
Enhancing Government Performance
USAID builds capacities of governments and communities by providing them with trainings in strategic planning, financial management and revenue generation to improve service delivery, accountability, and transparency. In 30 focus districts and 30 local government municipal administrations, USAID activities raise citizens' confidence in public institutions by encouraging participation in local government planning, budgeting, and decision making. Specific programs are tailored to meet challenges in each district and additional support is leveraged from other USAID programs.
USAID actively engages federal and provincial counterparts to participate in the local government reform process. USAID works with provincial and federal government ministries to build consensus on how to more effectively deliver consistent high quality services to Pakistanis at the local level.
In addition to providing capacity building and technical assistance, USAID has committed $4.71 million to supply equipment and materials, such as information technology systems, office equipment and specialized equipment for education and basic health care through its District Support Fund (DSF) to these local governments.
Ongoing Activities
Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Program
Period: September 2005 - June 2009
Funding: $11,187,893
Implementing Partner: Development Alternatives, Inc.
GOP Partners: National Assembly, Senate, Provincial Assemblies
Pakistan Election Support Program
Period: September 2006 - December 2010
Funding: $31,421,173
Implementing Partner: IFES, UNDP, The Asia Foundation & Democracy International
GOP Partner: Election Commission of Pakistan
Pakistan Districts That Work
Period: August 2006 - August 2009
Funding: $26,000,000
Implementing Partner: The Urban Institute
GOP Partners: 30 Districts & local governments in Sindh, Punjab & NWFP, Federal, Provincial & Local Government
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U.S. Consul General Kay Anske, Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Khuhro & USAID Democracy & Governance Director Michael Hryshchyshyn launch Sindh Provincial Assembly Website. | Photo: USAID
Accomplishments
2002-2008 Budget: $81.2M
2009 Budget: $122.6M (expected)
Developing Strong Legislatures
- In March 2008, launched series of orientation & training sessions for new members of parliament due to large turn-over after February 2008 elections
- Since 2005, trained hundreds of members of parliament on rules of procedure, the committee system, legislative drafting & oversight
- Preliminary design & feasibilty report of the PIPS building approved by the Parliament
- Legislation establishing the PIPS enacted through an Act of Parliament
Strengthening Electoral Processes
- Provided technical advice & material support for the creation of first ever computerized electoral rolls
- Provided 215,000 transparent ballot boxes & 6M security seals for the February 2008 elections
- Trained 45,000 voter registration center officials
USAID-funded ballot boxes are loaded at a production facility for transportation to Pakistan. | Photo: IFES
Accomplishments
Strengthening Electoral Processes
- Added 2.7M names, a 20 fold increase from previous efforts, to the 2007 electoral rolls
- Provided IT infrastructure to the ECP and 4 Provincial Election Commissions for interconnectivity & ongoing updating of electoral rolls
- Trained ECP staff
- Trained & deployed 20,000 domestic observers to work in more than 40,000 polling stations
- Supported UNDP multi-donor fund that trained 600,000 polling staff & other election officials, including customized training materials
Enhancing Government Performance
- Facilitated participation of 65,169 citizens, including 20,506 women, in meeting and helping set local government budget priorities
- Reached an additional 9,522,000 citizens through radio broadcasts, providing an opportunity to participate in the budgetary process
- Created District Support Fund (DSF) to provide incentives for recipient local government to improve performance
- Through DSF provided $4.71M of in-kind assistance to local governments improving their capacity to deliver services to citizens
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