ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christians: there is "selection", not "election" of minorities in the local vote

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - In the recent elections held in Punjab and Sindh, the two main provinces in Pakistan, according to the current system, religious minorities have been deprived of the right to choose their representatives. A mechanism of "selection" and not of "election" has been implemented: is the complaint sent to Fides by the "Justice and Peace" Commission (NCJP) of the Catholic Bishops in Pakistan. The current electoral system was introduced in 2002 and provides for the parties to choose religious minority representatives to be included in their lists. Noting that the current electoral system of local bodies is discriminatory and penalizes minorities, in flagrant violation of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Commission notes that it "reflects prejudice and the anti-democratic approach of the government towards the rights of religious minorities". It also notes that with this system religious minority representatives remain at the mercy of political leaders of their parties. Because of this state of affairs, political parties and various groups of Christians and other religious minorities boycotted the elections in the recent local vote.
According to the law, the 10 seats reserved for religious minorities are assigned to the winning party, that can choose the representatives. This system of selection is deemed unacceptable by religious minorities in Pakistan and has generated strong protests. The "Pakistan Christian Alliance", which brings together at least 20 Christian political parties, boycotted the election, attitude also shared by the Ahmadi community. Organizations and group expression of Christian minorities, Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadis in Pakistan demand equal opportunities and citizenship for all, without discrimination. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 09/11/2015)

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democracy

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religious minorities

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religious freedom

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human rights

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elections

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