ISLAMABAD: PILDAT (Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency) partnered with The Body Shop Pakistan and launched an insightful report titled “Democracy’s Vanguard: Youth’s Electoral Participation in Pakistan.”
The launch ceremony, held in Islamabad, was attended by political leaders, influential figures, civil society organizations, and media representatives to emphasize the role of youth engagement in electoral processes.
During the event, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of PILDAT, expressed concerns about the notably low youth voter turnout, standing below the overall turnout of approximately 44%. He commended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for incorporating youth-focused objectives in its strategic planning.
Naba Taqvi, leader of Branding & Communications at The Body Shop PK, welcomed participants and highlighted the brand’s commitment to activism, aligning with The Body Shop International’s global ‘Be Seen Be Heard’ campaign. The campaign aimed to make a difference, reflecting the brand’s steadfast stance against animal testing and dedication to cruelty-free products.
Amna Kausar, Senior Projects Manager at PILDAT, provided an overview of the report, setting the stage for a dynamic panel discussion on ‘Youth’s Electoral Participation.’ The report indicated that youth aged 15-29 make up 29% of Pakistan’s population, signifying significant potential influence on electoral outcomes. With widespread use of the internet and social media, digital platforms emerged as effective channels for voter mobilization.
PILDAT’s Report Highlights Urgency for Level-Playing Field
The report revealed that, as of September 2023, Pakistan has approximately 127 million registered voters, with around 55 million young voters aged 18 to 35, constituting about 43.85% of the total eligible voting population.
In a thought-provoking panel discussion, Farhatullah Babar emphasized the urgent need for a level playing field, advocating for active youth involvement to ensure inclusivity in the electoral process. Nighat Siddique from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) outlined efforts to educate students about the voting process, addressing issues with National Identity Cards (NICs) and sharing statistics on outreach initiatives.
Bilal Gilani of Gallup Pakistan echoed concerns about low youth voter turnout, citing mistrust and registration difficulties. Zaigham Khan highlighted the potential of youth in politics, emphasizing the necessity of involving them and reviving student unions. Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan proposed strategies to enhance youth electoral participation, and Senator Syed Ali Zafar stressed the importance of empowering the youth.
