Gender Representation
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a crucial directive to all political parties participating in the upcoming General Election 2024. The ECP emphasizes the mandatory requirement for political parties, to allot election symbols, to ensure a minimum of 5% representation of women candidates on general seats. This directive is under Section 206 of the Election Act, 2017, highlighting the ECP’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and gender diversity in the democratic process.
In a statement released on Sunday, the electoral watchdog directed political parties to submit the list of candidates for general seats within the next five days. The submission deadline follows the conclusion of the nomination papers submission period on December 24, 2023, for the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
The ECP’s proactive stance seeks to actively promote and encourage the participation of women in political leadership roles, ensuring their fair representation across various constituencies. The ECP acknowledges the significance of gender-balanced representation in strengthening democratic values and fostering a more inclusive political landscape.
In related developments, the ECP successfully allocated election symbols to independent candidates. However, delays were encountered due to legal challenges, including a case involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its iconic election symbol, the ‘bat,’ which underwent scrutiny in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The ECP calls upon all political parties to adhere to this directive, contributing to the creation of a more equitable and representative political arena. The upcoming general elections present an opportunity to further fortify the democratic foundation of Pakistan through active and diverse political participation.
