Rural areas of Hyderabad: Mobile voter drive to boost women voter registration

HYDERABAD: In a significant step to promote inclusive electoral participation, the District Election Commissioner Ahmed Nadeem Shaikh has chaired a review meeting at his office at GOR colony to register female voters in rural areas of Hyderabad through Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs).

The meeting assessed the progress of the “Inclusive NIC/Voter Registration Campaign Phase-V (INVR-5),” which specifically targets the reduction of the gender gap in voter registration.

The MRVs are being actively deployed across various areas of Taluka Hyderabad (Rural) to facilitate easy access to National Identity Card (NIC) and voter registration services for women, thereby ensuring their greater inclusion in the electoral process.

The District Election commissioner briefed the meeting and said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated the fifth phase of its inclusive Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) campaign across Pakistan, started in August 2025. The primary goal is to register more citizens, particularly women, as voters to enhance participation in the electoral process.

He said that to facilitate this drive, a dedicated committee has been formed by the ECP at District level. The campaign is currently active in 16 districts of Sindh.

He informed that during a recent meeting at the Provincial Election Commission, district officials presented a report highlighting several hurdles faced during the campaign. The ECP has emphasized that these challenges can be overcome through strong coordination. A key concern is the significant gender gap.

To raise public awareness, the District Election Commissioner has directed that the campaign schedule be shared with the Information Department. This will ensure widespread dissemination of information regarding CNIC processing and voter registration.

The NADRA representative mentioned the problems of unavailability of networks in rural areas so Additional Deputy Commissioner Saba Israr assured to resolve the issue with coordination to mobile companies and Hesco authorities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025