Highlights From Elections 2018 That Pakistanis Should Rightfully Feel Proud Of

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Pakistan went to polls yesterday and while the country still awaits the release of the final results, it seems all but clear that the Imran Khan led, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will form the next government.

With political clamor at an unprecedented high during the weeks leading up to the elections and the unilateral focus of mainstream media on major political actors following the polls, there are a number of important “firsts” that were largely left under-reported and hence, unnoticed.

Read: These Famous Pakistanis Came Out To Vote Today!

So, while the country awaits for the probable, Prime Minister elect to give a victory speech, here are four major highlights from elections 2018 that every Pakistani should rightfully feel proud of.

A Historic First for Women Voters in Some Parts of Pakistan!
General Elections 2018
Source: Dawn

While women in the more developed parts of the country have never faced restrictions to vote, it is also true that there were still remote regions within Pakistan where women had never been allowed to caste their ballot.

Read: 5 Pakistani Celebrities Who Are Contesting General Elections 2018

However, elections 2018 marked a historic first for women in the rural areas of Lower and Upper Dir, Shangla, Swabi, Batagram, Sahiwal, Layyah and Punjgur as they exercised their right to adult franchise for the first time in Pakistan’s democratic history.

Active Political Participation of Transgender Community

Transgender manifesto
Source: Dawn

Another huge step in the right direction was taken during elections 2018 with the unprecedented participation of the transgender community.

Read: 5 Issues That The Upcoming Pakistani Government Must Resolve!

While 13 transgender candidates contested the general elections, it was also heartening to see the members of this marginalized community taking-up the roles of observers during the electoral process.

Hats off!

Pakistan Stood United Against Extremism
TLP
Source: Global Village Space

Fears that extremist elements contesting elections from the platform of various newly created political parties might win a small but significant number of seats were proven wrong.

The fact that not even one candidate supported by extreme right-wing parties has come close to a victory speaks volumes about the unanimity of an otherwise politically polarized Pakistan against extremism.

Children Might Not be Able to Vote but They are Politically Aware

Jibran Nasir was perhaps the most well-known independent candidate who neither hailed from an affluent political family nor had a long, illustrious career in politics.

Perhaps for this reason, he was seen as a threat by radical outfits who opposed his progressive, rights-based politics and launched mob attacks on several of his public gatherings.

And even though he did not win, Jibran Nasir has certainly left a mark.

This can be gauged from the truly heartwarming video of a child who chanted, “Jibran Nasir will win!” at a group of people who were screaming slogans against him.

Thank you for preaching love and respect Jibran Nasir. We have high hopes from you in 2023!

Yesterday, Pakistan witnessed the third consecutive general elections under civilian rule and these positive highlights make us wonder if 15 years of democracy can propel so much change, how would Pakistan be after another 15 years of uninterrupted democracy?

Long live Pakistan and long live our young democratic tradition!