Pakistan’s first ‘Youth Election Quota Bill’ was presented by Shaheera Jalil Albasit in the National Assembly.
After 3 years of advocacy, Pakistan’s first ‘Youth Election Quota Bill’ was introduced in the National Assembly yesterday. This is the first time the Bill was discussed in the Parliament. It is noteworthy that 95% legislative proposals do not reach this stage.
The Bill was not opposed by any MNA in the Assembly yesterday and it has successfully moved to the next stage. Now, the Parliamentary Committee of Electoral Reforms will debate the Bill to either approve or reject it.
Pakistan has one of the largest youth populations in the world.
If passed, the Bill will make it compulsory for all political parties to give 30% election tickets and leadership positions to Pakistan’s youth between ages of 25 and 35 especially those from underrepresented sections of society.
The Bill also requires political parties to financially support election campaigns of their youth quota candidates to make sure that it is the working class, middle class young people who will benefit from this Bill.
