JUI-F, JI oppose mandatory 10% women voting

islamabad — A meeting of the sub-committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms held in the Parliament House could not reach a consensus on the issue of 10 per cent mandatory participation of women in elections after the Jamiat-i-Ulemai-Islam-F (JUI-F) and the Jamaati-Islami (JI) opposed the proposal presented by other parliamentary parties, reports Dawn online.

The JUI-F and JI stuck to their stance for only 5pc participation of women in the elections, although other parliamentary parties demanded at least 10pc participation for validation of polls.

“The parliamentary parties could not reach a consensus on the issue of women’s voting,” Shazia Marri, a member of the committee, told reporters after an in-camera meeting.

According to the Election Reforms Package and the Election Act, 2017, it has been proposed that at least 10pc participation of women voters should be made mandatory for elections.

In case of less than 10pc participation of women in the elections in any constituency, the proposal says, the Election Commission of Pakistan should have the right to order re-election for the seat.

No consensus reached on the issue in reforms body meeting

Talking to Dawn, JI leader Tariq Ullah said his party had some reservations on 10pc mandatory participation of women voters in elections. “One should not be forced to take part in polls, especially women,” he said. He said that other issues were also discussed in the meeting, including MNAs’ development funds and fee for contesting polls.

He said no decision had been taken on the issue of overseas Pakistani voters and biometric and e-voting systems.

“Most members of the committee have demanded that overseas Pakistanis be given the right to vote,” he said.

Referring to biometric and evoting systems, he said the committee had been informed that the Election Commission required a hefty amount of Rs40-50 billion to introduce them.