The provincial government headed by PML-N has also shifted its focus to the young people. DESIGN: SUNARA NIZAMI/FILE
Reserving a seat for youth in the Local Bodies’ scheme, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led Punjab government has attempted to steal Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) thunder, which identifies itself as the youth’s party.
According to the LB scheme in Punjab, each Union Council (UC) shall consist of a directly-elected chairman and a vice chairman, six general members, five members elected on reserved seats, two women elected on reserved seats, a peasant (labour councillor), a non-Muslim member in UCs with at least 200 registered non-Muslim voters and a youth member of maximum 25 years of age.
A participant of the Punjab committee’s meetings that finalised the draft act said the PTI demanded youth representation during the committee meetings and also pressed the PML-N to allow 18 years old to contest election against reserved seat.
However, the Act describes “the youth” as a person who is 21 to 25 years old on the last day fixed for filing the nomination papers.
Interestingly, the PTI’s K-P draft allows a candidate less than 35 years of age to contest elections as youth councillor. The PTI-led K-P government has not finalised legislation on this issue so far and the apex court has given a deadline to the party.
During the general elections in May, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) main focus was on youth. The cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s party secured second position in terms of votes following Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The party’s slogan of ‘change’ attracted the youth of the country that makes up more than 60% of the population.
Voter’s age limit at LB polls
Talking to The Express Tribune, the K-P Local Government Minister Inayatullah Khan said there was a difference of opinion as to whether the voter’s age in the coming LB polls should be 18 years or 21 years. He said during the May general election, the minimum age of the voter had been set at 18.
However Advocate Zafar Joya said provinces could not change the voter’s age limit, adding that it was the prerogative of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2013.
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