The Delegation of International Parliamentarians’ Congress Observes Thailand General Elections 2023
14th May 2023: The International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) successfully conducted an election observation mission to Thailand and observe their General Elections 2023. The IPC, having received accreditation from the Electoral Commission of Thailand (ECT), deployed a two-member delegation to observe the electoral process and ensure its transparency and fairness. The delegation was headed by the Secretary General IPC Senator Sitara Ayaz, accompanied by Manager Communications IPC Ms. Mehk Butt. The delegation arrived in Bangkok and immediately engaged in a comprehensive program organized by the ECT. On day one, a key meeting was held, during which the ECT shared detailed information about the election process with all the observer organizations. This meeting served as an essential foundation for understanding the electoral procedures and principles that would guide the observation mission. Moreover, the delegation met with the representatives from A-WEB, the Election Commission of India, the Election Commission of Cambodia, the Election Commission of South Africa and various other officials and international organizations representatives. On day two, which was the pre-election day, the IPC delegation visited various polling stations in Bangkok, with the purpose of closely observing the process of distributing election materials to the dedicated polling station staff. Additionally, the delegation had the opportunity to interview a select number of staff members to gain insights into their roles, responsibilities, and preparedness for election day. The election day, marked as the third day of the delegation’s mission, was divided into two distinct parts. In the morning, the IPC delegates observed the process of vote casting, ensuring its transparency and integrity. They precisely monitored polling stations to ensure compliance with electoral regulations and observe that every eligible citizen was exercising their democratic right freely. Once the vote-casting time was ended, the IPC delegation continued its commitment to observing the electoral process by visiting the polling stations to observe the vote-counting process. The vote-counting process was held in a very transparent way, showing the ballot paper and counting the votes of representatives in front of observers. The International Parliamentarians Congress would like to extend its gratitude to the Electoral Commission of Thailand for the opportunity to observe the Thai General Elections 2023. The IPC reaffirms its commitment to fostering transparent and inclusive democratic practices worldwide. The findings and observations made during the mission will be compiled into a comprehensive report, which will be shared with the relevant stakeholders and the general public in due course.
A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the International Committee of Red Cross and the International Parliamentarians Congress
The head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Ms. Dragana Kojic along with her other officials, including Mr. Jamal Khan, Deputy Head of delegation ICRC & Legal Advisor ICRC Mr. Usman Khan visited the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) to officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC), as per decided in the preceding meeting held at IPC secretariat in the month of February. The MOU is signed by Senator Sitara Ayaz, Secretary-General of IPC, and Ms. Dragana Kojic, Head of the Delegation of ICRC. The agreement devoted both organizations to working together in the areas of humanitarian diplomacy and Law, food security, health, and Climate Change. Moreover, both organizations are keen to bring together the Global Parliamentarians to highlight the other major social issues and organize conferences, and capacity-building sessions for various groups. This association between IPC and ICRC will promote eminent cooperation in the field of conflict resolution, humanitarian law, and societal norms and will strengthen the bilateral relations to work for the progressive world with equality and equity.
Member Parliament Legislative Assembly NSW visited IPC
Member Parliament Legislative Assembly NSW Honorable Shaoquett Moselmane, MLC, along with his delegation visited IPC Secretariat. The meeting was fruitful in terms of discussion over IPC thematic areas and exploring working capacity with mutual interest.
Meeting with the Senior Representatives Of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) Secretariat
The Senior Representative JICA, Tsuruoka Noriyuki, and Chief Program Manager JICA Dr. Haroon paid a comprehensive visit to the International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) Secretariat in Islamabad, in order to address a variety of bilateral interests with the officials of the IPC. The representatives from JICA met with the Secretary-General of the IPC, Senator Sitara Ayaz, and highly praised the role of IPC, in a number of areas such as human development, collective cooperation, peaceful coexistence, etc. The meeting was organized to discussed several aspects of working development between IPC and JICA. The multiple possibilities were discussed during the meeting including Human development, human security, stable and collective development, and multilateral cooperation that will be further discussed in the follow-up meeting. As a result, both organizations agreed to find opportunities in future.
MEETING OCCUR BETWEEN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO PAKISTAN) AND INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN’S CONGRESS ON THE ISSUE OF ROAD SAFETY
Ms. Dr Maryam Mallick, Technical Advisor Disabilities, Road Safety, And Injury Prevention of World Health Organization Pakistan visited IPC. A fruitful meeting was held between Dr. Maryam Mallick from WHO-Pakistan and Mr. Ijlal Ali Khan IPC to discuss a number of areas of mutual interest including the various aspects of road safety and its implementation. Similarly, both sides addressed the issues of disabilities and its connection with lack of road safety. Moreover, they shared the desire to work on road safety on various levels to make sure maximum coordination and cooperation in the future together. They also assured cooperation to contain disabilities by effective road safety. Road safety is getting immense significance day by day not only nationally but internationally as well, therefore, the collective efforts between the two organizations will have tremendous significance regarding the said topic.
International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) in a virtual meeting
A virtual meeting was held between the Secretary General Jonghyun Choe of Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) and Secretary General Muhammad Ali Saif of the International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) to sign an MOU, on 31 May 2021. Both the SGs shared their vision and endeavoured to work together. The Association of World Election Bodies A-WEB is the world’s largest international organization in the field of election management. It currently comprises 118 election management bodies (EMBs) from 108 countries. It works to foster the efficiency and effectiveness of conducting free, fair and transparent, and participative elections worldwide. IPC endeavors to establish a worldwide network of individual Members of Parliaments across countries, who voluntarily aim to work in unison to perpetually develop cooperation, synergy, and strategies across parliaments for achieving a prosperous and peaceful world through effective independent interaction among parliamentarians. IPC comprises six committees, one of which is the Committee on Monitoring and Observation of Elections in the World which enables IPC to monitor and observe the elections held in the world to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections and to seek guidance from the country’s electoral procedures. In this manner, IPC and A-WEB hold immense importance of mutual collaboration and cooperation of guidance to achieve their respective mandate and strategic objectives of strengthening the existing vision and mission of both organizations under: 1. Election Observation 2. Research/Publication 3. Joint seminars/workshops 4. Cross promotional activities
H.E. Mr. Mohammed MotaharAlashabi, Ambassador of Yemen to Pakistan, visited the International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) Secretariat in Islamabad
H.E. Mr. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi Ambassador of Yemen to Pakistan visited International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) on an invitation of Assistant Secretary General of IPC honorable Mr. ljlal Ali Khan. Mr Ijlal Khan Assistant secretary general IPC and Honorable Syed Abid Hasan technocrat member IPC welcomed H.E. Mr. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi at IPC secretariat. Mr. Ijlal delineated the IPC’s roles and its objectives to the Honorable Mr. Ambassador and shared important thematic areas on which IPC has been working till date. H.E. Mr. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi wishes IPC the best endeavors for the future and wishes to join hands. He hopes that the establishment of the forum would help develop a joint response against the common challenges in today’s globalized scenario. Mr Ijlal wishes to work with Yemen Government for collaboration on the current pressing issues on which the ambassador acknowledged the idea and soon the IPC will have member parliamentarians from Yemen too.
Pakistan Navy ship “NASR” reaches Djibouti carrying 50 metric ton rice for calamity-hit people. Honorable Secretary-General International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) Senator Mohammad Ali Saif joined the event in Djibouti.
Pakistan Navy Ship “NASR” Friday arrived in Djibouti on a Port Call carrying a full load of 50 metric ton rice for calamity-hit people of Republic of Djibouti.To grace this event, the three-member delegation from Pakistan that includes Honorable Secretary-General International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) Senator Mohammad Ali Saif, Senator Mirza Mohammad Afridi, along with Mr. FayazThaheem, Manager Procurement, and Coordination IPC joined the event. Honorable Mr. Mohamed Ali Houmed,the President of the National Assembly of Republic of Djibouti welcomed the visit of PNS “NASR” to Djibouti and thanked the Government of Pakistan for the support. “NASR” is a replenishment ship serving Pakistan Navy since 1987. In this event Honorable Secretary-General IPC Senator Mohammad Ali Saif presented souvenirs to the Coastguard Chief of Djibouti and to the Commodore Shafqat Hussain Akhtar SI (M), Commander 9th Auxiliary Warfare Squadron, who led the PNS “NASR” ship. The PNS “NASR” is visiting to deliver food, as humanitarian assistance, to the people of Djibouti affected by catastrophic floods, droughts and influx of refugees from across the Gulf of Aden. The ship will continue its voyage to circumnavigate the African continent aimed to build the image of Pakistan through goodwill visits among major Horn and West African counties including Sudan, Benin, Niger and Kenya.