Turbat, The University of Turbat (UoT) hosted a consultative session on October 19th, 2023, addressing the significance of youth involvement in Pakistan’s electoral procedure. The gathering included notable figures from the electoral commission, academia, and youth representatives. They collectively pondered upon the challenges young voters face and discussed the comparative voting behaviours of young populations in Pakistan and India.
According to a news release by University of Turbat, Mr. Changez Baloch, Chairman of the Political Science Department, initiated the session, expressing appreciation on behalf of Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, Vice Chancellor of UoT, to PILDAT for orchestrating this vital discourse. Mr. Sikandar Jamali, the Regional Election Commissioner for Makran Division, was present alongside other key figures from the electoral commission and the academic world. Mr. Faheem Ahmed Khan, Senior Projects Manager PILDAT, undertook the role of moderator and delved into a comparison of young voting behaviours observed in Pakistan and its neighbour, India.
A consensus emerged among panellists recognizing the low youth voter turnout as a tangible issue. Various reasons surfaced, highlighting young voters’ skepticism towards the electoral system, a sentiment that deters their participation. The panel pinpointed the prevalent perception of elections not being impartial and transparent as a prime deterrent for young voter engagement. They also touched upon the evident knowledge gap among young individuals about voter registration and balloting processes.
Echoing the sentiments of many young attendees, youth delegates underscored the prevalent belief that the electoral process isn’t unbiased, leading to their reluctance in casting votes. Emphasizing the pivotal role of youth in the electoral ecosystem, Mr. Sikandar Jamali voiced that genuine reform could only materialize if the youth immerse themselves proactively in the system. Mr. Muhammad from the Election Commission highlighted the steps being taken by the ECP to bolster youth awareness of their integral role in the electoral journey. From the academic front, Mr. Chakar Hyder shed light on the efforts the university has embarked upon to mobilize the youth.
Post-panel deliberations, the assembly witnessed an enthusiastic student turnout for a mock voting exercise. A notable point was the considerable female student participation, accounting for 48% of attendees.