Transgender Inclusion In Electoral Process Crucial To Strengthening Democracy

News Desk

Peshawar: The minorities must be allowed to elect their representatives for national and provincial assemblies directly through general elections, and the counting of all the minorities’ population in the digital census of 2023 must be ensured, said Minority Activist Yousaf George.

Transgender community member Arzo Khan underscored the need for simplification of the procedure for computerised national identity cards (CNICs) for the facilitation of transgenders and other facilities, including a special quota of employment in the public sector.

Speakers at the provincial consultation workshop on Monday underscored the need for the active participation of marginalised groups, including transgenders, during the election process, which is imperative for strengthening democracy in the country.

The workshop titled ‘Improving Election Participation: Political Empowerment of Marginalised Populations’ was organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) with the assistance of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Pakistan.

National Democratic Movement Joint Secretary PalwashaAbbass said that women voters should not be barred from voting on the name of the jirga and that consensus among election candidates and persons with disabilities should be facilitated on election day to poll their votes in large numbers.

The local government system needs to be strengthened, and development funds should be utilised through local government representatives to address the problems of marginalised groups at the union council level, PalwashaAbbass added.

National Party Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Dr Sarfaraz Khan underscored close coordination among all relevant departments, including the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Labour Department and Social Welfare Department, to swiftly address the problems of marginalised groups, including the transgender community and persons with disabilities.

Qumi Watan Party Senior Vice President Tariq Ahmad Khan stated that political training of voters and minorities ahead of the general election was imperative for the country’s political stability and steering the country out of economic challenges.

NADRA Deputy Director Operations Khalid Jan mentioned that besides 250 data processing units, mobile registration vans of the authority were also facilitating people, including marginalised communities, in the preparation of their CNIC at their doorsteps. He added that Friday has been reserved for females at NADRA.

Participants and speakers suggested that all government departments work together effectively, that the jirga system be abolished on election day, that local governments be given financial support, that minorities be allowed to run for office directly, and that their representation in national and provincial assemblies be increased.