Women in politics

Women in Politics

Being a woman myself, this blog post is very close to my heart. I belong to the lot of auspicious urban women who can put into effect their voting rights; yet there are ample of areas in Pakistan where women are either dejected or out-rightly debarred by the local communities from voting. For a while now I've found myself argumentative about women’s lack of involvement in the voting progression but most of my utter has been with close friends and family. Still, I believe it’s about time that I stop lecturing to the before now rehabilitated and chat with each person and anybody who’s concerned in listening!

The General Elections in 2013 however showed some improvement as there was high percentage of women contribution. This is an awesome improvement and it is worth to courage those women, who casted their vote despite having the fear of terrorism and the barriers in certain remote areas. Looking at political perspective, where more than 450 women were contesting for the seats of National Assembly alone.

Nevertheless, regardless of these developments there are some more requirements to be done before all Pakistani women can work out their legal right of voting. Paradoxically, even today many political parties plunge to the desires of activist and conservative forces when it comes to women’s political involvement. We saw an evident case of this in 2013 when the candidates of nearly all the major political parties of Pakistan signed pacts in the tribal regions excluding women voters from casting votes or taking any action in the political process!

This kind of deeds by political leaders is profoundly given the verity that under the decentralization of power plan in 2000, the government standoffish 33% seats at all levels i.e. National, Provincial and Local Government for women.

When given liberty and autonomy to proceed, Pakistani women have for eternity been a foundation of constructive role in the political showground. Women parliamentarians have played an essential role in forming women-led conferences and tabling means governmental bills.  Additionally, in Pakistan women politicians have held key offices such as ex- Prime Minister (Late) Benazir Bhutto who held the office from 1988 to 1990 and then from 1993 to 1996 being the first PM of any Muslim country. Correspondingly there are a lot of female politicians from all the parties have held key positions. Evenly significant is the fact that the irresistible presence of nearly 40,000 women in local councils since 2000 has contributed enormously towards mainstreaming women into politics.

In the same monarchy we must also recognize the hard work of Malala Yousufzai, young Pakistani activist for female education and youngest female Nobel laureate as well and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Pakistani journalist and filmmaker who became the first Pakistani to win an Oscar. While these young women are not politicians they however reveal the gigantic latent that Pakistani women have and how they surpass and make the whole country proud when given independence to chase their obsession and put their knacks to follow.

I can’t highlight enough that this is the right time to make a genuine endeavor in order to make sure the contribution and liberty of the women in elections. Every modest attempt by you and me can really go a long, long way in making powerful female voters in our country. So next time you want to pamper in some drawing conversation on local politics, are looking for a significant topic to peep on or you’re preparing on sending out a letter to your local newspaper’s editor, make sure that addition of female voters is amid the topics that you discuss. A modest endeavor from all of us is essential for bringing a big shift in women’s political role in Pakistan.

Women & Elections

Women & Elections

The National assembly of Pakistan in 2013 was the first one in the history of Pakistan, to complete its tenure of 5 years. What was special about this assembly is that the participation of women in parliament was surprising. Out of 53, 20 were the bills of private members that were moved by women during the regime of government. The women outperformed their male opposite number in terms of formal intercessions during parliamentary dealings.

In 2013 what we notice from media that the participation of women was outstanding in every matter and they put extra efforts to show how much they value in politics. Despite of the fact of efforts and value, the contesting women in general elections in 2013 were fewer than women participating in 2002. In 2002 the total number of women who participated in general elections was 38 and in 2013 the number of participating women was 36.

In Pakistan, more than half population is of women. But their role and representation in National assembly is not similar to these numbers. What I strongly believe is that women are much stronger than men and they have some more potential than men and they can do multitasking without even showing the amount of burden on them to others.

What we can do is to liberate women in a way that they have their basic rights. To vote and work is the basic right of every woman and to lessen the economic imbalance in the country it is necessary for every woman to work and to work for Pakistan. Although the role of women in 2013 elections was outstanding and the great amount of female voters voted in the last election. But the fact is that there are still 11 million eligible women who are not even registered to vote and they are very far away from their basic right. It is in the significance of all political parties in Pakistan to set free these potential women voters. The cooperative measures of women parliamentarians would go a long way in concentrating on the issues of the masses.

What women parliamentarians need is a little bit confidence to better their public appearance. In past we have seen women parliamentarians but most of them were shy and didn't participate fully in any meeting in their constituencies due to many reasons. Now the scenario is changing slowly and gradually. Women politicians are involved in social working and interacting more with public to buff up their skills of politics.

Election Commission of Pakistan officials publicized after the General Elections of 2013 that churn out for women voters was 44 per cent in May 11 elections and 11 female returning officers were selected. Nonetheless, there were some 500 polling stations where women’s attendance was zero. It will be sensible if a law is propagated which affirm the results of constituencies null and void where women are not allowed to vote.

Election Rigging

Rigging in elections

2013 General elections were held on 11^th of May for the appointment of the 14^th National assembly and the 4 provincial assemblies of the provinces. The procedure for election was conducted in all provinces and in Islamabad that is the Federal Capital territory. The two territories of Pakistan which are Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Blatistan couldn't participate due to their dubious conditions.

The elections were conducted in 272 constituencies out of which 70 seats were reserved to the women belonging parties and the parties from minority group.

General elections in Pakistan have been blemished by claiming of rigging along with the interference of the officialdom. ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) that is responsible for conducting elections procedure in Pakistan admitted the claims of rigging and the convicted persons on that account were Returning officers according to the ECP.

On 26^th of September ECP was supposed to declare a “disowning” report instead of it declare the map to follow the electoral reorganization. The statements pass by ECP and the present government doesn't match as the government says that the elections in 2013 were the most free and fare elections in the history of Pakistan.

The secretary of EC resigned on the statement that the elections had the most historic rigging in the history of Pakistan that has never been done before.

In the report published by ECP they admitted the rigging and blame the institutes like NADRA, FBR and the State Bank for not cooperating, the returning officer had so much power that he was not liable over the electoral process and the papers of nominations were not properly examine. The report also mentioned the failure of the program “Results Management System” that was organized by the UN Development Program.

The elections soon seem controversial when the chief election commissioner instantly declared the failure of free and fair polls in KHI, which is the largest city in Pakistan having a population of 20 million. The irregularities in the election occurred by not having a record of 139 constituencies. The chief election commissioner claimed that there was extreme intrusion of judiciary. According to the largest media groups of Pakistan Jung and Geo, PML (N) emerged as the Pakistan largest political party followed by PPP and PTI. Although the claims of Jung and Geo confirmed that only 18 % votes were counted.

PTI continuously insisted to have thumb verification in four constituencies the request was rejected by the PML (N), and that make the role of the PML (N) dubious in the elections. Hence PTI conduct rallies for that, which was joined by the PML (Q) and MWM Shia minority.

Other political parties in Pakistan didn't join the march of PTI but they did complain about not having fair elections and also demanded the resignation of election commission members.

Which to vote?

As election nearby, election campaign starts to began in which our political parties leader give the best of their energetic and vigorous speech. Public might fall in their sugar coating that what they will do if they will rule, but soon after their rule their all promises seems to fail and their tone changes  completely.

A common strategy to public is to either not to vote or voting the candidate without knowing that whether he has done something for them or not. In election times the leaders may distribute food or other goodies but don’t look at that. Seek  for what they have done before elections.try to find out their work in your area if the political candidate you voted in last election doesn't show up good response don’t vote for that but try a new one which you think that by giving chance to him he can show up some good work. Do not become a die hard follower of one party only for all your life, try for a change to bring change.

History of Pakistan has  showed  us some die hard followers of all time they didn't try any other and didn't bring change in their society instead they make their families also bound to that party. This system thus enhances the probability of the loop in which these parties will come into rule. Some areas specially are known as “ Garh” far a particular party and you will discover not a single voter of any other party which is extremely wrong. When we talk about having democracy where freedom of speech, rights and vote occur pioneering such situation is extremely bad.

If we will run for change definitely change will come towards us. The political parties leaders will see that no more traditions of die hard followers has left because we haven't done anything for them so they wont vote us so this time we've to do something for them so they do vote for us. But unfortunately we haven't done any of this we've been departed in parties defending whether they have done something wrong or right, hunting for rivals parties weaknesses and ignoring our own one.

The mistake is not of politicians but we’re the guilty one because we've let them a chance to do that for us and that things is the biggest  obstacle in the establishment of Pakistan. Try to know your political candidates at their best and search for their work in the development of the society if you find nothing interesting don’t vote for that even he/she belong high profile party instead go for the candidate who is passionate to accomplish his work.

Do vote and vote and vote for right candidate, if your family member are willing to vote another party don’t try to force them to vote yours instead encourage their point of view.

Creditworthy citizen

Elections where a responsible citizen feels encouraging for bringing change in the society. The right of vote belongs to the people having age of 18 or more whether men or women. Pakistan constitution puts no restrictions in the name of gender and it fully support role of women in politics. The Political history has shown some great leaders like Benazir who rule the Pakistan political party i.e. PPP for years.

Being a responsible citizen is not just a so called duty of the Pakistani but the utter promise that we should make to the leaders that put great efforts to get a separate own land where everyone has a right to worship his God according to his or her own believes. Thinking of bringing change to the society feels that you’re alone in the world of aliens then think how Quiad-e-Azam would feel ages ago demanding a separate own homeland for not only Muslims but also for the people belonging other religions and on what account he feels so attached  by the suffering Muslims in sub-continent?

The answer is yet not simple for the people who feel strange towards their country ethics!

The leader like him who is well educated, having great career ahead and living a luxurious life why he feel the pain why he believes in Two Nation Theory? Why he urged every Pakistani to become educated to serve his or her country? Why he urge not to fall in the cast and creeds departing each other’s in Sindhi, Balochis, Pathans and Punjabi's because a true leader knows that United we stand and Divided we fall.

Unfortunately by witnessing such Political and non-political conditions of Pakistan we've somehow forget the true essence of being a patriotic Pakistani where the love of raising the image and standard of country has been lost in the piles of own greed’s where the self-image should be better the country’s image doesn't matter, where we feel ashamed to tell someone that we’re Pakistani, where to change the nationality is the premium quality dream.

To discover the responsible of such conditions we will answer the Government of Pakistan however the stakeholders for this cause are many including us!

We do not vote because we think that one vote can how bring change? The hope of our true leader is shattered by his nation by giving such under statements. We break the laws because we think that when everyone is breaking law then why not me?

A leader having such traits cannot be reborn in a society like this where no one has moral values, but the country is surviving as we've brave soldiers and some of responsible citizens.

We desperately need some more personalities like our Quaid to save our ship from drowning. The change will however not that easy by simply just voting however by understanding the responsibilities that are due on us one by one and to take start from somewhere is necessary then not to take!!!