ISLAMABAD: Participants of the Thursday seminar underlined flaws in the electoral process, calling for genuine change, emphasizing intra-party polls and increasing women’s participation in the electoral process.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Changing Landscape of Pakistani Electorate and Role of Political Parties in Fair Representation,” held by the Press Information Department (PID), they said the Constitution entrusts the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with free and fair polls.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Syed Ali Zafar said that the Constitution entrusts the ECP with the responsibility to conduct free and fair polls in the country. The Election Act 2017 enhanced the authority of the electoral watchdog. The Constitution empowers political parties to participate in polls and form a government.
Deputy Secretary General of Jamat-e-Islami Muhammad Asghar said that a significant majority of people refrained from voting, and many governments failed to truly represent the majority.
He said that Jamat-e-Islami is dedicated to fostering genuine change in Pakistan.
He stressed on discouraging participation as independent candidates and said that Jamat-e-Islami has a record number of women involved in different tiers, with over 5% of women receiving tickets.
He suggested that a person who does not give a share to females in property should be disqualified. Moreover, he said that without intra-party polls, democracy cannot flourish, and the influence of money should be eliminated from the politics.
Dr. Asad Muneer of Allama Iqbal Open University commended the allocation of reserved seats in Parliament as a positive gesture. He expressed optimism that the situation will gradually improve, stressing on the need for political parties to elect their leadership through a democratic process.
Pakistan’s electoral system caters to elite
Dr. Mujeeb from Quaid-e-Azam University underlined the weakness in the electoral process of Pakistan, describing it as catering mainly to the elite.
He said that political parties often function as collections of notable individuals and stressed on the absence of any significant movements initiated by these parties.
Hafiz Tahir Khalil, a journalist stressed the role of media in strengthening democracy, expressing confidence in the potential of the country’s institutions to deliver.
He hoped that the young generation would lead the country out of crisis. Khalil underscored the importance of political parties addressing internal issues and implementing their manifestos.
Additionally, he noted the need for consensus among all political parties on basic national issues.
This was the second seminar the Press Information Department (PID) has conducted to encourage civic engagement and participation in the upcoming elections on February 8. Stakeholders invited to these seminars encompass representatives from major political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan, media, academia, civil society, and the general public.
