Political instability has gripped the country for several months and for the past few months the public, government, political parties and the media have been repeatedly talking about the election date.
Sometimes the date of provincial elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is emphasized and sometimes general elections are held simultaneously in the whole country. And all this because this year is being considered as an election year.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the provincial elections in Punjab on April 30 and has also released the election program. However, the final announcement of the election date in KP is yet to be made.
Whether general elections are held simultaneously across the country or at separate provincial and federal levels, the most important thing for a voter is that you are legally eligible to vote.
After the release of the election program in Punjab, the process of voter registration has been stopped in this province, but this process is still going on in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
If the National or Provincial Assemblies are dissolved before the completion of their term, the voter registration process is stopped as soon as the election program is announced.
It is important for every citizen to participate in elections because the government policy on health, education, life facilities, law and inflation are all connected to it.
Voting is the democratic right of every Pakistani. But for that it is necessary to register your vote. So how can a common citizen register to vote?
Who is eligible to vote?
First try to find out whether you are eligible to vote in Pakistan or not.
According to Section 26 of the Elections Act 2017, a person shall be entitled to be registered as a voter in a constituency if he:
(1) Is a citizen of Pakistan
(2) Not less than 18 years of age
(3) Possess a National Identity Card issued by the National Database and Registration Authority at any time up to the last day fixed for inviting claims, objections and applications for preparation, revision or correction of electoral rolls.
(4) He has not been declared of unsound mind by a competent court
(5) is deemed to be a resident of the constituency under section 27;
Explanation/Note: A National Identity
