ISLAMABAD: Pakistani nation voted for democracy and stability of Pakistan with historic turnout and enthusiasm in general election 2013 despite sporadic incidents of violence and irregularities in some parts of the country.
In a statements issued here, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) stated that people came out in huge numbers to cast their votes which reaffirms people’s confidence in democratic process in Pakistan.
“Active participation of youth in polling day made the historic turnout possible which is a good sign for the country,” said the statement.
The SDPI officials observed that voting process was reasonably free and fair in most parts of the country with incidents of violence and irregularities mostly in Karachi and other parts of the country. In Karachi, election commission failed to hold free and fair election, the statement said.
They observers reported fairly decent turnout of female voters in Punjab, Islamabad capital territory, Sindh. Although women participation has increased manifold in areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but there were incidents of barring women in Lower-Dir, Lakki Marwat etc by jirgas, local elders and even political parties.
Women voters complained of difficulty in accessing polling station and unsuitable conditions for women. Internews
