IRI Works with Local NGO to Get-Out-The-Vote

September 30, 2002

In Pakistan, IRI is conducting a Get-Out-The-Vote campaign and polling project for the country's October 10 parliamentary elections. Both projects work in a cooperative effort with local organizations in the country.

IRI's GOTV program features street theatre shows, primetime television ads, radio programs, posters and leaflets to help increase voter turnout. Pakistan's low literacy rate makes street theatre an effective way to disseminate information. Four street theatre teams traveled throughout the country to rural populations for performances. IRI partners with the Pattan Development Organization for the project.

IRI also is conducting a series of pre- election, exit and post election polls to provide feedback about the potential for fraud and manipulation in the election. IRI plans to announce the results of its pre-election poll at a national press conference in the city of Lahore on October 4, 2002.

In December, IRI's local partner, the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), will host a discussion on the three polls and the results of the elections with a cross section of political parties, analysts, media and government representatives.

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