Islamabad, 10 Oct 2023:In a significant initiative aiming to underline and bolster the engagement of youth in the electoral processes of Pakistan, a consultative session was convened at the central library of Quaid-e Azam University (QAU), Islamabad, spotlighting the pivotal role the young populace can play in strengthening democratic norms within the nation. The event was enriched with insights from Mr. Haroon Shinwari and Ms. Nighat Siddiqui of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), among other distinguished panel members, with the source of this information being a press release from the PILDAT.
The session, welcomed and initiated by Dr. Amanat Ali, Director Student Affairs at QAU, extended gratitude towards PILDAT and UNDP for orchestrating the event, centering on the essential theme of youth’s contribution in Pakistan’s electoral exercises. Senior Projects Manager PILDAT, Mr. Faheem Ahmed Khan, welcomed attendees and introduced panellists, offering a detailed presentation that emphasized that 45% of all registered voters in Pakistan belong to the 18-35 age demographic. His comparative analysis of youth voting behaviours in Pakistan and India illuminated significant patterns and challenges, identifying that while youth voter participation in India superseded overall turnout in their latest elections, Pakistan is grappling with the tangible issue of low youth participation, attributed partly to distrust in the electoral system and a deficiency in procedural knowledge among young voters.
Ms. Rimsha Rehman, a Youth Representative on the panel, articulated concerns regarding the Pakistani youth’s perception of voting, highlighting a prevalent view that diminishes voting as a fundamental civic duty. Her co-panellist, Mr. Naveed Akhtar, an International Relations Student, underscored how the perpetuation of dynastic politics acts as a deterrent, estranging youth from electoral processes.
Mr. Shinwari, representing ECP, detailed endeavours taken by the commission to amplify voter awareness, particularly among youth, revealing that 1750 awareness workshops have been conducted across all Pakistani districts to kindle voter motivation, with a keen focus on engaging the youth demographic. Furthermore, Ms. Siddiqui from the ECP stressed the imperative nature of voting as a mechanism to manifest the change desired by the youth.
Attended by 67 students, including 25 young women and 43 young men, the session culminated in a mock polling exercise, engaging students in a hands-on democratic process experience, facilitating them to mold their opinions and comprehend the quintessence of voting in a democratic framework.