The Youth Youth Commission for Human Rights in collaboration with the Free and Fair Election Network and the Shah Hussain Regional Network organised a seminar titled 'Peaceful Election 2024 and Role of Stakeholders'.
District office-bearers of political parties, representatives of minorities, upcoming election candidates and members of civil society and youth participated, according to a press release.
At the beginning of the program, Wajahat Batool, Coordinator of the Youth Commission for Human Rights, said that for Election 2024, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has prepared a code of conduct for political parties, election candidates, election agents, polling agents, media and observers.
For a peaceful election, political parties and candidates as well as media, election agents, polling agents and observers must adhere to this code of conduct. A Pakistan People's Party rep said that political parties should adhere to the election code of conduct and ensure at least 5% representation of women as per Section 210 of the Election Act 2017.
“As far as our party is concerned, it is the only such party which always includes women and minorities in the electoral process at all levels.” He emphasized that women, men or transgenders being barred as candidates or voters in the electoral process will not be acceptable to the party. “We will not be a part of it.”
Representatives of other political parties reiterated that they would abide by the code of conduct and added that they would cooperate for the security of election materials, election staff and polling agents.
They will also cooperate with the law enforcement departments to ensure peaceful elections. Muslim League-N's representative said that we openly condemn all kinds of violence in the election process and request other parties to not indulge in such language that incites violence during speeches or in promotional materials. Representatives of PMLN, PMLQ, JI, IPP and PPP spoke on the occasion.