Voters’ education is responsibility of everyone particularly university graduates in Pakistan. (Sajid Imtiaz)

1. Activation
of Election
Academy
Correct vote casting is essential to
elect representatives of national
and provincial assemblies. For
National Assembly, 940582 valid
votes were rejected in general
elections 2008. During 2013 general
elections, symbol “Scale” remained
a bone of contention between
Pakistan Tehreek Insaf and Jamat-e-
Islami. Election commission
awarded Scale to Jamat-e-Islami.
No doubt, Free and Fair Election
Network (FAFEN) along with its
partners NGOs countrywide tried to
educate women for vote casting
during last two general elections.
Findings of seminars and
conferences show that Pakistani
voters particularly women are less
educated and unaware of
correct vote casting.
Time has been changed.
Independent male candidates
from provinces do not like
election symbols like hen, goat
and bangles. Long list of
outdated election symbols can
be seen at website of election
commission. All key players
including Election commission of
Pakistan must form a committee
to shortlist symbols for general
and local government elections.
International community
through donors has been taking
active part in democratic
process in Pakistan. They must
develop easy to understand
manuals for different kinds of
ballots. They must focus on
master trainers and tap
university graduates for great
cause like responsible
democracy. Election Academy at
ECP must be made central point
for voter literacy and education
so that 85% voter turnout could
be achieved in the general
elections 2018.
Sajid Imtiaz: Bureau Chief Islamabad, Daily Porihyo