Democracy in Pakistan: Headlines vs Trend-lines
With the country's parliament completing its second term since 2008, is Pakistan truly on the road to democracy? How do the headlines compare with the trend-lines? Are there any significant potholes in this road to democracy? Are the persistent negative headlines justified? Do oft-repeated dire forecasts about Pakistani state's survivability make sense?
Do Pakistani political party leaders practice democracy within their own parties? What accounts for attempts by the political party leaders and candidates to resist full financial and other disclosures? Why did they try to escape accountability by passing Election Act 2017?
Who are the "electables"? Why are political parties trying to recruit them to run as their candidates in the coming general elections scheduled for July 25, 2018? Can such "electables" bring about much needed reforms in the political parties? What are the downsides of putting up electables in terms of widening political participation and voter turnout?
Viewpoint From Overseas host Misbah Azam discusses these questions with Sabahat Ashraf and Riaz Haq (www.riazhaq.com)
https://youtu.be/Tx8hKH0Ae8U
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
South Asia Investor Review
Pakistan Elections Act 2017
US DoD 1999 Forecast: "Pakistan Disappears By 2015"
Democracy's Disappointing Report Card
Nawaz Sharif's Report Card 2013-18
CPEC Transforming Pakistan's Least Developed Regions
Pakistan: The Other 99% of the Pakistan Story
How Pakistan's Corrupt Elite Siphon Off Public Funds
Bumper Crops and Soaring Credit Drive Tractor Sales
Panama Leaks
How West Enables Corruption in Developing Countries
Declining Terror Toll in Pakistan
Riaz Haq's YouTube Channel
Who are the "electables"? Why are political parties trying to recruit them to run as their candidates in the coming general elections scheduled for July 25, 2018? Can such "electables" bring about much needed reforms in the political parties? What are the downsides of putting up electables in terms of widening political participation and voter turnout?
Viewpoint From Overseas host Misbah Azam discusses these questions with Sabahat Ashraf and Riaz Haq (www.riazhaq.com)
https://youtu.be/Tx8hKH0Ae8U
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
South Asia Investor Review
Pakistan Elections Act 2017
US DoD 1999 Forecast: "Pakistan Disappears By 2015"
Democracy's Disappointing Report Card
Nawaz Sharif's Report Card 2013-18
CPEC Transforming Pakistan's Least Developed Regions
Pakistan: The Other 99% of the Pakistan Story
How Pakistan's Corrupt Elite Siphon Off Public Funds
Bumper Crops and Soaring Credit Drive Tractor Sales
Panama Leaks
How West Enables Corruption in Developing Countries
Declining Terror Toll in Pakistan
Riaz Haq's YouTube Channel
Comments
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/337606-pakistan-s-only-half-population-registered-as-voters-ecp
In a shocking revelation, the Election Commission of Pakistan has found that only half of the country’s population is registered as voters. While there are understandably several reasons for the distressingly low number of voters ranging from their awareness, low motivation and logistical issues, it calls for serious attention from the political management to address this alienation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haripur has the highest percentage of voters i.e., 66 percent, Orakzai Agency in FATA also 66 percent, Awaran in Balochistan and Karachi Central in Sindh have 63 percent voters each.
Among provinces, Punjab is on top on the list is with 55 percent of its population as registered voters, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA 50 each, Sindh 47 while Islamabad has 38 percent of its population as voters. Balochistan is at the bottom with 35 percent of its population as registered voters.