Islamabad:
The main election commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja praised the Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) on Thursday for achieving a significant milestone by reducing the gender gap in the electoral rolls of 11.8% in 2018 to 7.4% in January 2025.
Opening the fifth phase of the CNIC registration campaign/voters of inclusive women on International Women’s Day 2025, together with the four members of the Electoral Commission, the electoral chief commissioner said that this achievement highlights the continuous efforts of the ECP to promote inclusiveness and gender equality in the electoral process. The progress of the campaign as a testimony of the relentless efforts of the ECP.
Raja highlighted the integral approach of the Electoral Commission to further reduce the gender gap in the electoral lists, qualifying it as a shared legal responsibility of the ECP and Nadra, not just a promotional campaign.
He praised the dedication of the team and the partners for his tireless work to guarantee the representation of inclusive voters during the four previous phases.
The last four phases of the campaign have emphasized the promotion of electoral participation on equal terms for women and other marginalized groups.
Significant measures were taken to improve the inclusion in the electoral process and advance gender equality, marking a crucial step to guarantee a fair representation for all.
The commissioner emphasized that democracy thrives when each voice is heard and that each citizen has the opportunity to shape their future through their vote.
Referring to the constitutional mandate of the Electoral Commission, he highlighted the importance of special measures under article 25 and sections 47 and 48 of the 2017 Elections Law to guarantee the inclusion of women and marginalized groups.
He underlined the need for collaboration efforts between the Electoral Commission and Nadra to achieve this goal.
