All the Glitters that shine brighter in Pakistan elections 2018
Elections 2018 shows some outstanding establishments which can paves way for progressive development
(WebDesk) -The 2018 election stirred a knife-edge competition among the rivals. Though the most anticipated election was not smooth, accompanied by the several attacks and accusation of pre and post polls rigging by almost all ofthe political parties.
Even though, all did not go plain but there are many outstanding establishments and first-timers which marked a new progressive development during the whole election season.
Since the last elections in 2013 to this election in 2018, the tenure of five years have brought up an evolution in many ways which delienates the awareness and eagerness of masses interest and participation in the electoral process.
Here is a brief summary of all the glitters that shine bright amid election season 2018:
FIRST TIME ELECTED CANDIDATES FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES
First Sheedi woman, Tanzeela to enter Sindh Assembly
Among many firsts, this 11th session of election has brought forward, a new addition of Tanzeela Qambrani, the first Sheedi women to Sindh Assembly is a pleasing development. In Sindh where inhabitants with African ancestors are still discriminated in various form, Sheeda returning to Sindh Assembly is an effort to break barriers who hinder progress of marginalized. Tanzeela 39, a computer science post graduate is all set to become a part of Sindh Assembly on the PPP’s quota of reserved seats for the minorities.
First Kalashi MPA on reserved minority seat
This is the first time when a Kalash is going to be the part of provincial assembly. Pakistan Tahreek Insaf has appointed Wazir Zada, first Kalashi as MPA in KPK on reserved minority seat. Kalashi is the Pakistan s smallest ethno-religious minority. Kalashi being part of the legislative assembly, is a positive footstep towards minority’s rights in Pakistan. The people of this marginalized community are celebrating over this feat and firmly hoping for promising future.
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People Of Kalash Congratulating The Newly Elected PTI Minority MPA Wazirzada. Photo: APP
INCREASE IN NON-MUSLIM REPRESENTATION IN ELECTORAL PROCESS
Muslim-majority areas elect 3 Hindu candidates in Sindh
Another advancement followed, as three Hindu candidates of PPP were elected from the Muslim majority areas in Sindh. Among these candidates were Mahes Malani who won a National seat from Tharparkar (NA-222), Hari Ram Kishwari Lal and Jamshoro s Giyanoo Mal alias Giyan Chand Essrani who were elected from provincial assembly seats PS-147 and PS-81, respectively.
Mahesh Malani won his seat from Tharparkar District by bagging 106,630 votes against his opponent, Arbab Zakaullah who secured only 87,261 votes. It is worth mentioning that the Hindu population makes up 49 percent of the total population of Thar desert.
Hari Ram Kirshwari Lal, who is considered a close friend of Asif Ali Zardari belongs to Mirpurkhas district, which has total population of around 1.5 mn out of which 23 percent are Hindus. Kishwari Lal secured 33,201 votes against his competitor from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Mujeeb-ul-Haque who got 23,506 votes.
Giyanoo Mal alias Giyan Chad Essrani belongs to Thano Bola Khan of Sindh’s Kohistan region in Jamshoro district. The Jamshoro district also has a substantial Hindu population. Essrani secured 34,927 votes against Malik Changez Khan who got 26,975 votes.
All of three candidates won from the general seats for the very first time. Hindu community forms the largest minority in Pakistan and Hindu organizations in Pakistan welcomed and appreciated the election results of the three Hindu candidates. Photo: Dunya
Increase of Non-Muslim voters by 30 percent in 5 years
Over the last five year, the registration of Non-Muslim voters have inflated to 3.63 million from 2.77 million in 2013 as registered in electoral rolls.
Hindu voters hold first spot among the minorities accounting for almost 1.77 million voters this year compared to 1.40 million in 2013 polls.
Christian minorities who form the second-largest minority of Pakistan have higher pace of growing voters as compared to Hindus which is 1.64 million compared to 1.23 million in 2013 elections.
The number of Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Ahmadis voters have always grown consecutively. The out-growth of religious-minorities voters is a pragmatic development towards a betterment of the country. With more- minorities coming forth to cast their votes, it makes Pakistan a stronger democratic region.
AN OUTSTANDING INCREASE IN WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN ELECTORAL PROCESS
Women in Khushab Cast Vote for the First Time
The 11th session of election witnessed history making events in conservative areas where women are not allowed to be a part of out-door activities. This time in a village located in Khushab, a city in Punjab, women came out to vote for the first time since independence. They reached soon to the polling station and used their legal right by casting vote. This signals towards a commendable progress towards women’s empowerment in this area.
Also Read: Females in Khushab vote for first time in 70 years
Women in Upper Dir also cast their vote first time in 40 years
Another progressive step took place, as women in Upper Dir exercised their right to vote in the elections of 2018. Upper Dir is a conservative tribal district of Pakistan, bordering with Afghanistan, where women were deprived of casting their vote since 1970s. However, this year this cultural taboo was broken and women set a precedent by choosing to vote this year.
Also Read: Change has come: Women vote in PK-93 Upper Dir after 40 years
Another History - The highest vote turn out by women in Thar
Despite being rough and unprivileged, the two constituencies of Thar NA-221 and NA-222 were the most visited. Characterized by difficult transportation system, undeveloped infra-structure and harsh weather conditions, people were not deterred people from taking part in election process.
It is rather worth mentioning that women set a record in this area where by the ratio of women who came out to vote is the highest in NA-221 than anywhere in Pakistan. 72.83 percent women showed up for vote in NA-221 while 71.40 women opted to vote in NA-222. This highest turn out of women in Thar is confounding and sets a milestone in Pakistan electoral’s history.
According to Election Commission of Pakistan, Sindh’s Thar district’s two constituencies, NA-221 and NA-222 were the most visited electors despite being a tough and underprivileged areas. Photo: Dunya
Also Read: Avoiding all hindrances, women voters set to vote for Pakistan
More Women on General Seats
The general election of 2018 saw a record of women contesting on general seats on the ticket of various political parties. A new precedent was set by major political parties such as Pakistan People Party (PPP), Muslim league –N, MQM and ANP , as they nominated a record number of female candidates for general seats. PPP and PML-N both gave eleven tickets to women to participate in this election contest.
According to the data collected by National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) from Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) website, total of 464 women contested for general seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies. Of these 175 women campaigned as independent candidates and 289 women on political party tickets.
Election act 2017 fixed five per cent quota to women on general seats by all political parties, on general seats for provincial assemblies, eight women won the elections out of 296 total women candidates for provincial assemblies.
Also Read: Eight women secured general seats in National Assembly
It is important for a country to put the institutional architecture of democracy on its place to achieve stability and experience human and economic development outgrowth. With more empowerment to minorities and women’s right, this 11th election of Pakistan promotes more democratic values and principles within Pakistan. Though, there is a long way to achieve the perfect version of democratic country, it is not wrong to state that the above mentioned first-ever occurrences in the history of Pakistan’s are breaking many stereotypes and crushing cultural taboos, ultimately leading to a better “Pakistan”.
By Mehreen Fatima and Fatima Hasani
