Deepening Democracy and Election Support in Pakistan (DESP)

TDEA implemented a Deepening Democracy and Electoral Support in Pakistan (DESP) project. The project contributed towards more inclusive, transparent, and responsive democratic institutions and processes in 32 districts of Pakistan. DESP Project achievements included improvement of public perception regarding the performance of democratic governments through observation of by-elections, conduct of advocacy for transparent, accountable, and responsive electoral rules, mapping of electoral and political violence, assessment of voters list for completeness and accuracy, and advocacy for citizen and voter registration of women and minorities. The project focused on continued oversight of electoral and parliamentary processes and evidence-based advocacy for improved enforcement of existing statutes and legal and policy reforms through proactive engagement with political parties, parliamentarians, the Election Commission of Pakistan, civil society, and media. The project also sought encouragement of public debate, dialogue, and discourse to strengthen a pro-democracy narrative in the country. The project engaged 121,464 female and 8,805 male citizens, 429 people with disabilities, 22 transgender persons, 3,829 young male students, 3,133 young female students, 338 journalists, 660 civil society organizations, 73 political parties, and 473 observers in various project-related activities.

Duration: July 2016 – March 2017

Funding Agency: United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Former United Kingdom Department for International Development

(UK DFID)