The representatives of different political parties in Balochistan have demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to re-demarcate the provincial assembly’s PB-1 Musakhail-cum-Sherani constituency as scattered population and long distances were hampering voters to contribute in the national democratic process.
Tribal chief and political leader Sardar Hanif Musakhail while drawing attention towards this public concern said the constituency comprised of two districts of Musakhail and Sherani having a total of 104,815 registered voters including 44,292 women (42.25 per cent of the total).
The tribal head, who was accompanied by Abdul Samad Roshan, added that Musakhail was awarded the status of district in 1992 and it remained a separate constituency till the 2018 general elections.
The population of Musakhail district was 320,195 as per the 2017 population census and it covered an area of 10,038 square kilometers.
He said both the districts have become administratively part of Loralai and Zhob divisions, whereas due to scattered population and lack of direct road connectivity among the two districts many people were unable to cast their vote during elections.
Hanif while urging the ECP requested to separate the constituency to reduce distance gap, connectivity issue and burden on the local masses for their smooth and maximum contribution in the national electoral process.
He underlined that the local people were now more aware as compared to the past and majority of them wanted to play their role for the country and strengthening of the democratic system.
He also called to ensure the right to vote for those who migrated from the area due to insurgency, loss of economic opportunities, and political uncertainty and got settled in Punjab and Sindh.
Tribal chief of Musakhail also demanded to initiate voters’ registration campaign as a large number of eligible population mainly comprising youth particularly girls was unregistered.
Musakhail and Sherani districts are considered to be the most backward districts of Balochistan.
The political and tribal elders have expressed reservations and apprehensions about the constituency.
They called for re-demarcation of the constituency to address the grievances of the people of area.
In Balochistan, changes in constituencies have created more questions than answers. Political parties have urged the ECP to increase the number of constituencies keeping in view the backwardness and scattered population in the province.
The election commission had increased the number of provincial assembly seats in Quetta from six to nine. In Balochistan, the number of general provincial assembly seats is 51.
With additional input from APP
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2022.
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