The gender gap in Pakistan’s electoral rolls has gone down to 10.4 percent. The data was revealed in a pilot project of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) based on the electoral rolls published in March, 2021, Tribune reported. 

Last year, a report in Dawn showed that the gender gap in the electoral roll was 11.32 percent.

According to Tribune, the reason for the still existing gender gap is many women to date  did not possess computerized national identity cards (CNICs).

The ECP, meanwhile, discussed a strategic plan to mitigate the gender gap in electoral rolls.

The pilot project was carried out recently by the ECP in 20 districts to verify the gender gap in the electoral rolls and to identify reasons.

 During the meeting, ECP Additional Director General, Gender Affairs, Nighat Siddique pointed out that National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) registration centres were located at long distances.

 The survey listed a complex CNIC registration process, socio-cultural challenges and lack of awareness as other major reasons of non-possession of the CNICs by women.

She apprised the Commission of the recommendations of the pilot project, including special measures to be taken by the ECP, NADRA and the ECP’s implementing partners to further mitigate the gender gap in the electoral rolls.

A strategy was formed on the basis of the recommendations, including an action plan for the next two years to assign roles to various stakeholders working with the ECP along with timelines against each strategic action.

(SAM)