Zubair Qureshi
The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (PILDAT) launched on Wednesday a seminal report titled ‘Democracy’s vanguard: Youth’s electoral participation in Pakistan’ that showed low turnout of the youths’ vote (up to 29 years) i.e. around 44pc below the overall voter turnout in the general elections.
The launching report event witnessed a convergence of political stalwarts, influential figures, CSOs and a pool of media to underscore the significance of youth engagement in electoral processes.
PILDAT had organized the event in collaboration with the Body Shop Pakistan.
President of the PILDAT Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, in his opening remarks, expressed concerns about the notably low youth voter turnout, which is below the overall voter turnout of around 44pc. He commended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for its initiative to incorporate youth-focused objectives in its strategic planning.
Senior Projects Manager at PILDAT, AmnaKausar presented a brief overview of the report, setting the stage for a dynamic panel discussion on ‘Youth’s Electoral Participation.’
She highlighted that youth, defined as persons aged 15-29, constitute 29pc of Pakistan’s population, signaling a significant potential influence on electoral outcomes. Pakistan’s young population is technologically engaged, with widespread use of the internet and social media, suggesting digital platforms as effective channels for voter mobilization.
According to the report, as of September 2023, there are approximately 127 million registered voters in Pakistan and out of these, around 55 million are young Pakistanis aged between 18 and 35. This age group represents about 43.85pc of the total eligible voting population, making it a significant demographic in the electoral landscape of the country.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Farhatullah Babar stressed the urgent need for a level playing field, and advocated the active involvement of youth, minorities and women to ensure inclusivity in the electoral process. He highlighted disillusion and distrust among youth emphasizing the necessity for increased surveys and youth participation, pointing out four crucial elements for achieving this goal, while also underscoring the revival of student unions.
NighatSiddique, representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), outlined the ECP’s efforts in educating students about the voting process, attributing the low youth voter turnout partly to issues with the Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and sharing statistics on the extensive outreach initiatives conducted in collaboration with PILDAT.
Bilal Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan, echoed concerns about low youth voter turnout, citing mistrust and registration difficulties as alarming factors, based on their survey findings. Mr. Zaigham Khan highlighted the distinction between the “youth bulge” and the potential of youth, emphasizing the necessity of involving them in politics and reviving student unions. Senator Dr. AfnanUllah Khan outlined his party’s manifesto, proposing strategies to enhance youth electoral participation. Lastly, Senator Syed Ali Zafar emphasized that the nation’s future lies in empowering the youth and urged the importance of exercising the vote. After an insightful panel discussion, a Q&A session took place that led to the closing of the launch by PILDAT.
NabaTaqvi, who leads Branding & Communications at The Body Shop PK, extended a warm welcome to the participants, articulating the brand’s commitment to activism, a legacy that dates back to the inception of The Body Shop. She illuminated the Body Shop International’s global ‘Be Seen Be Heard’ campaign, through which the beauty brand, known for its staunch stance against animal testing and dedication to cruelty-free products, aims to make a difference.
