Abdul Latif

Youth-led initiatives for electoral reforms play a crucial role in advocating positive changes in the electoral process. These movements often demand fair, transparent, and accountable systems to prevent fraudulent activities and ensure equal voting rights. Many youth-led initiatives focus on educating young voters about their rights, the importance of voting, and navigating the electoral system to increase voter turnout and engagement.

They employ innovative strategies, including social media campaigns, grassroots organizing, and community engagement, to reach a wider audience and mobilize support for electoral reforms. Notable examples of such initiatives include the “Youth Initiative for Electoral Reforms” in Nigeria, advocating for electoral transparency, and the “Youth Vote Philippines” movement aiming to increase youth voter turnout through education and engagement efforts. These initiatives showcase the proactive role of young people in driving change and advocating for more transparent, fair, and inclusive electoral systems.

Youth in Pakistan can play an effective role in the coming general elections, 2024 scheduled to be held on 8th February, 2024. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), there are about 40 million registered voters in the age group of 18-35 years, which constitutes 45% of the total electorate. This means that youth have a significant potential to influence the outcome of the elections and the future direction of the country.

However, youth in Pakistan face many challenges and barriers to participate in the electoral process, such as lack of awareness, trust, and interest, social and cultural pressures, political violence and intimidation, and administrative and logistical hurdles. Therefore, youth need to overcome these challenges and take active steps to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities.

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Some of the ways that youth in Pakistan can play an effective role in the 2024 elections are:

• Register themselves as voters and verify their voter lists. Youth can use the online portal of the ECP or send an SMS to 8300 to check their voter status and details. They can also visit their nearest display centers or district election offices to get their voter cards and correct any errors in their information.
• Educate themselves and others about the electoral system, the candidates, and the issues. Youth can use various sources, such as newspapers, magazines, books, online resources, etc. to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the electoral process, the political parties and their manifestos, the candidates and their profiles, and the key issues and challenges facing the country. They can also share this information with their peers, family, and community members, and encourage them to vote.
• Engage with the candidates and the political parties, and raise their voice and concerns. Youth can attend public meetings, rallies, and debates, and interact with the candidates and the political party representatives. They can ask questions, express their opinions, and demand their rights and interests. They can also use social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. to communicate with the candidates and the political parties, and to spread awareness and mobilize support for electoral reforms.
• Volunteer for the electoral process and monitor the elections. Youth can join various civil society organizations, such as Republic Policy, that work for electoral reforms and observation. They can also apply to become election observers, polling agents, or polling staff and help in ensuring the transparency, fairness, and credibility of the elections. They can also report any irregularities, violations, or complaints to the relevant authorities, such as the ECP, the judiciary, the media, etc.
• Vote on the election day and persuade others to vote. Youth can exercise their right to vote on election day and choose the candidates and the political parties that best represent their aspirations and values. They can also motivate and facilitate others, especially women, minorities, and persons with disabilities, to vote. They can also follow the election results and the post-election developments and hold the elected representatives accountable for their performance and promises.

Youth voters are critically significant for winning elections in Pakistan to be held on 8th February 2024. Youth voters constitute a large and diverse segment of the electorate, with different aspirations, values, and preferences. They have the potential to influence the political landscape and the policy agenda of the country, as well as to challenge the status quo and demand change. Youth voters also have the power to shape the future of the country, as they will inherit the consequences of the decisions made by the current leaders.

However, youth voters also face many challenges and barriers to participating in the electoral process, such as lack of awareness, trust, and interest, social and cultural pressures, political violence and intimidation, and administrative and logistical hurdles. Therefore, youth voters need to be empowered, engaged, and mobilized to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities. They need to be informed, educated, and motivated to vote for the candidates and the political parties that best represent their aspirations and values. They also need to be involved, consulted, and represented in the political process and policy-making.

Therefore, winning the youth vote is crucial for any political party or candidate who wants to secure a majority in the 2024 elections. To win the youth vote, the political parties and candidates need to address the issues and concerns of the youth, such as education, employment, health, environment, security, etc. They also need to communicate effectively and convincingly with the youth using various platforms and channels, such as social media, online forums, public meetings, etc. They also need to respect and appreciate the diversity and dynamism of the youth and to offer them a vision and a voice for the future of the country.

Accordingly, it is critical for youth to participate in the coming general elections and vote according to their political will. The more votes by the youth, the more functional democracy will be in Pakistan. Hence, the political future of the country depends upon youth participation in the coming general elections. 

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