Mainstreaming Vulnerable in the Electoral Process

Islamabad, the 15 March 2013.-    A Round Table Conference was held at the Election Commission of Pakistan, Islamabad to emphasize the importance of the role of voters from the vulnerable groups. Hon’ble Member Punjab, Mr. Justice (R) Ryaz Kayani; Hon’ble Member KPK, Mr. Justice (R) Shahzad Akbar, Hon’ble Member Balochistan, Mr. Justice (R) Fazal ur Rehman and Additional Secretary, ECP Muhammad Afzal Khan were present at the occasion.

These vulnerable groups include women, persons with disabilities minorities (both religious and ethnic).ECP believes that it is quite essential to promote vulnerable groups’ access to the electoral process in order to enhance their political participation in the forthcoming General Elections.

Speakers at the forum highlighted the importance of inclusion and representation from all strata of the society through electoral process. The speakers identified deeply entrenched patriarchal values, coupled by discriminatory legislation, inadequate policy safeguards, lack of awareness on issues of exclusion and budget allocations as some of the core reasons for low political participation of these vulnerable groups.

The participants highlighted that women in remote rural areas depend on the men in their families for access to resources, transportation and basic civic amenities such as the National Identity Card (NIC). Similarly, limited accessibility at the polling stations for persons with disabilities; are some examples which hinder the inclusion of women, minorities and vulnerable groups into the mainstream electoral process.

Rural women, minority groups and people with disabilities to highlight their roles as voters, political activists and political leaders largely attended the event. Also present were a wide cross section of the civil society, youth organizations and representatives of media. 

A short, skit portraying the issues of accessibility of the vulnerable groups was also presented by the youth volunteers on the occasion.