Women are urged to vote in elections
Speakers at a seminar hosted on Friday by the Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) called for women to run for office and cast ballots in the next general elections.
COPAIR President Amna Munawwar Awan, NCSW Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar, leaders of the main political parties, and others attended the seminar. Participants discussed the rights of women they believed should be addressed in party manifestos.
In addition to security concerns, they said that women were having serious difficulties in their political campaigns. They talked about their experience canvassing voters door-to-door in an effort to get a positive response.
The seminar’s proposals included equal media coverage, reserved seats for all female candidates, and efforts to integrate women into the main pool rather than creating a special category. The conference emphasized that it was untenable to have ministries and cabinets devoid of women.
In accordance with Article 206 of the Elections Act of 2017, the Aurat foundation has urged the Pakistani Election Commission to guarantee that all political parties provide five percent of the tickets to female candidates running for general seats in each of the province and national parliament.
The group expressed grave concerns about the length of time it takes political parties to release their final candidate lists and said that they must abide by Article 206 in order to be eligible to receive electoral emblems.
The foundation described women’s engagement in political and electoral processes as a legal and constitutional obligation in a statement. It further said, “Parties cannot contest elections if fulfilled.”
The Aurat Foundation expressed appreciation for the steps the ECP had taken to safeguard women’s rights and stated that it anticipated the commission would make sure that 5% of party tickets were given to female attendees.
According to Article 206, “a political party shall ensure at least 5% representation of women candidates while making the selection of candidates on general seats and shall make the selection of candidates for elective offices, including membership of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) and provincial assemblies, through a transparent and democratic procedure.”
According to the Aurat Foundation, political parties need to make sure that, out of all the tickets given out for each assembly, 5% of the general seats go to their female candidates.
Prior to the next general elections on February 8, which are slated to take place, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has encouraged political parties to guarantee a five percent representation of women on general seats.
This program is in line with Elections Act of 2017 Section 206, which highlights the value of gender diversity in political decision-making.
In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the ECP emphasized that it is the duty of all political parties to work together to promote a more representative and inclusive democracy.
He states that political parties have five days to provide a complete list of all the male and female candidates who have party tickets for general elections.
The Elections Act, 2017, which requires a 5% representation of female candidates in general elections, is the basis for this call to action. The goal of the initiative is to close the gender gap in political representation and create a climate in which women take an active role in determining the course of the country.
In order to comply with the requirement that there be 5% of female candidates running for general seats, the ECP reminded political organizations that the emblems they have been assigned must follow Section 206 of the Elections Act, 2017.
In the meantime, the nomination papers for the national and four provincial assembly’ seats designated for women and minorities have been thoroughly examined by the ECP’s Returning Officers.
Appeals regarding the approval or rejection of nomination papers by Returning Officers may be filed until January 16 and heard by the Appellate Tribunal until January 19, following the ECP schedule.
In the meantime, female political activists have demanded that harassment be prevented from women and that voting be made easier for them in order to increase women’s involvement in the democratic process.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
