‘Revival of student unions will strengthen democratic process’

Speakers express concern over low turnout of youth for voting

KARACHI:

Civil Society and youth representatives raised concern about the lack of student unions activism and critical issues of low youth voter turnout in Pakistan at an event organised by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Pakistan.

Expressing his views on Absent Young Voters of Pakistan, Regional Election Commissioner Karachi Nazar Abbas said said that student unions not only build youth leadership but also encourage young people to vote.

ECP Outreach Wing Director Quratul Ain Fatima said that 500 sessions have been organised in schools, colleges and universities under this program.

Sindh government representative, Minister for Universities and Board Ismail Rahu highlighted the years of work that had been undertaken by the government to empower the youth and increase their voter turnout.

PLDAT chief Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said despite the majority of Pakistan’s population consisting of youth, the participation of young voters is low.

He stressed on teaching Civics at middle school level so that the children get awareness of legislation process.

There is a need to highlight the importance of voting in schools, colleges, universities and villages because reforms can be made only through the education system.

On improving the participation of the youth in the electoral process to strengthen the democratic system in the country, Ahmad Bilal Mehboob said that it is important to promote the participation of the youth in the democratic process of the country because it is necessary to involve the youth in politics and legislation. It is the right way to build democracy in the country otherwise they will be under the threat of development of extremist tendencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2022.