Political inclusion

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced plans to ensure the registration of transgender and disabled persons at their doorstep via mobile registration vans ahead of the next general election. Considering that both transgender and disabled persons are marginalised, this is crucial to integrate them into mainstream society and improve their political participation. They will be offered a range of facilities including preferential voting procedures and postal ballot facilities so that they can vote independently and with dignity.

The absence of state support coupled with social stigma has long prevented the transgender community and disabled persons from participating in social, political and economic spheres. For decades, transgender persons have had to beg or dance to make an earning while disabled persons rely on their guardians or carers to maintain a livelihood. Their dehumanisation reflects poorly on the country’s ability to protect the rights of all citizens. Therefore, improving political representation by reserving special seats and improving accessibility to voting is important for empowering these segments and reassuring them of their capabilities.

In the past, law enforcement agencies and polling station workers have been accused of ridiculing transgender and disabled persons when they have tried to exercise their right to vote. Thus, ECP must sensitise and train their staff to treat all voters with respect. The ECP has also prioritised women’s participation, particularly rural women’s connection with the Disability Working Group of the ECP. These measures are monumental because they will improve the representation of all groups in the political arena and allow marginalised groups to highlight their issues and garner widespread attention and support. The ECP’s plans are ambitious and will help improve social equality, but they will only bring concrete results if they are rigorously implemented.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2022.

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