A round table conference was held on Thursday at the Election Commission of Pakistan to emphasise upon the importance of the role of voters. ECP members and Additional Secretary Afzal Khan also participated in the meeting. ECP believed that it was essential to promote access to polling booths in order to enhance the political participation of the masses, especially the ‘vulnerable’ which included women, disables and members belonging to the minorities. Speakers at the forum highlighted the importance of participation and representation from every aspect of the society through electoral process. The speakers identified the deeply entrenched patriarchal values coupled with discriminatory legislation, inadequate safeguard of policies, lack of awareness on issues of budget allocations as some of the core reasons for low political participation from women, minorities and the disabled. The participants highlighted that women in remote rural areas were depended upon men with regard to transportation and basic civic amenities such as the National Identity Card (NIC). Similarly, limited access to polling stations for people with disabilities could hinder their participation in the mainstream electoral process. Rural women, minority groups and people with disabilities to highlight their roles as voters, political activists and political leaders largely attended the event. Also present were a wide cross section of the civil society, youth organizations and representatives of media.
