LAHORE (Daily Point) — As the 2024 elections draw near in Pakistan, political parties have announced their candidates for various constituencies, with electoral symbols allocated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
It is pertinent to mention here that women candidates are actively participating in what has traditionally been a male-dominated electoral arena.
The country has witnessed a surge in registered voters, with the total reaching 127 million, compared to the previous 106 million during the 2018 general elections. Impressively, 11.74 million of the newly registered voters are women, surpassing the 9.28 million male additions to the electoral rolls.
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) has nominated six female candidates for general seats, including prominent figures such as PML-N chief organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Saira Afzal Tarar, Nosheen Iftikhar, Shazra Mansab Ali, Tehmina Doultana, and Syeda Shehrbanu Bukhari.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has chosen Nafisa Shah and Shazia Marri as its ticket holders for National Assembly general seats.
In a noteworthy move, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a ‘record’ number of National Assembly tickets to 21 women candidates.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed political parties to ensure a minimum of 5% representation for women candidates on general seats, reflecting a commitment to gender inclusivity.
Women candidates are emerging as frontrunners in the nominations for the 2024 elections. In the province of Punjab, notable figures such as former MNA Iman Tahir Sadiq, former MPA Seemabia Tahir, former adviser to Prime Minister Usman Dar, Rehana Imtiaz Dar, former MNA Alia Hamza Malik, former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Sidra Faisal, Mehr Bano Qureshi, Ayesha Nazir Jatt, and Mrs. Talat Basra are among the candidates.
PTI has allocated National Assembly tickets to women candidates such as Mrs. Qamar Javed Waraich, Mrs. Humira Ahmad Khan, Mrs. Anbar Majeed Niazi, Zartaj Gul Wazir, Umbreen Malik, Hamida Masood Shah, Maherul Nasa Baloch, Nazish Fatima Bhatti, Rozeena Bhutto, Shabana Nawab Bajarani, and former MNA Shandana Gulzar.
Notably, Firdous Ashiq Awan from the IPP is contesting from NA-130 in Sialkot. As the political landscape evolves, women’s participation in the electoral process continues to play a crucial role.
