United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Economic Affairs Division (EAD) have signed a US$4.7 million project for "Supporting Democratic Electoral Processes in Pakistan (SDEP)". Mr. Tewfiq Fehmi, Secretary ECP, Mr. Nawid Ahsan, Secretary, EAD and Mr. Onder Yucer, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative, UNDP signed the project on behalf of their respective organizations in a ceremony held at the Election Commission of Pakistan on 13 September 2000. Justice (R) Abdul Qadeer Chaudhry, Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan chaired the ceremony that was also attended by representatives of several multi and bi-lateral donors and senior Government of Pakistan officials. At this occasion H.E. Tore Toreng, Ambassador of Norway and Mr. Onder Yucer, UN Resident Coordinator also signed an agreement to provide Norwegian Kroner 10.945 million as cost-sharing contribution from the Royal Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) to this project.

The SDEP project is a strategic component of the Gender and Governance Programmes of UNDP for strengthening governing institutions and political empowerment of women under the agreed Country Cooperation Framework for Pakistan (1998-2003). The project aims to contribute to the improvement of democratic governance practices through strengthening of electoral process and building an enabling environment where greater number of citizens, including poor and women, will have a say in the selection of their representatives. The project will strengthen Election Commission of Pakistan to modernize their operations and electoral management in the context of recently announced electoral reforms. The awareness raising and improved electoral participation of women elements of the project will be implemented in collaboration with civil society organizations. In addition to the capacity building aspects, the project includes research and analysis for improving voter rolls and ultimately improving citizens’ participation in the electoral process. The ECP will be able to draw on the resources from this project in conducting the local government election process under the Local Government Plan 2000.