Political Inclusion Taskforce

Democracy means little if it excludes the voices of 15% of the population. Yet in Pakistan, persons with disabilities remain largely absent from political decision-making—not because they lack the will or ability to participate, but because the system itself has erected barriers at every turn.

The constitutional and legal framework exists, but implementation lags. Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law. The Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018 recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to accommodation, adequate standards of living, ownership of property, family life, freedom of expression, and the right to take part in politics.

Pakistan has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to participate fully and effectively in political and public life, including the right to vote, contest elections, and hold public office on an equal basis with others. The time has come to turn these commitments into lived reality.

Our Mission

To ensure that every person with a disability in Sindh has the right to participate fully in political and public life as a voter, candidate, elected representative, and decision-maker. We believe that political inclusion is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right and an essential pillar of democracy.

Our mission is to break down the physical, legal, attitudinal, and procedural barriers that exclude persons with disabilities from political life and to build a truly inclusive democratic system where every voice is heard and every vote counts.

Our Tasks

Legislative and Electoral Reform

We advocate for:

• Reserved seats for persons with disabilities in Provincial Assemblies, the National Assembly, and the Senate.
• Amendments to Articles 52 and 59 of the Constitution to provide for reserved seats for persons with disabilities.
• Full implementation of the political participation provisions of the Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018, and the federal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020.
• Reserved seats for women with disabilities in elected bodies.
• Disability-inclusive legislation and electoral reforms that guarantee meaningful political participation.

Representation Within Political Parties

Political participation must begin within political parties themselves. We advocate for the establishment of dedicated Disability Wings within major political parties to create meaningful opportunities for representation, leadership, policy engagement, and decision-making.

We engage with political parties to:

• Include disability rights and inclusion in their election manifestos.
• Provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to receive party tickets and contest elections.
• Promote persons with disabilities into leadership positions.
• Recognize women with disabilities as political leaders and support them to contest elections.

Accessible Elections

Every eligible person with a disability must be able to register, vote, and participate in elections independently and with dignity.

We work to ensure that:

• Every eligible person with a disability is registered on electoral rolls.
• Polling stations across Sindh are physically accessible, with ramps, wide doorways, accessible washrooms, tactile pathways, and other appropriate facilities.
• Postal ballot facilities are available to persons with disabilities who cannot travel to polling stations.
• Electoral information is provided in accessible formats.
• Persons with disabilities can access the documentation and services required for voter registration.

We advocate for one-window operation camps that bring together services such as disability certification, identity documentation, and voter registration, making the process simpler and more accessible.

We work closely with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which has recognized the need to ensure that voters with disabilities and older voters can participate in the electoral process. The ECP has also issued directions concerning accessibility at polling stations, including the provision of permanent or temporary ramps.

We work to ensure that these directions are effectively implemented across Sindh.

Political Awareness and Capacity Building

Political inclusion requires knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to participate.

• Train persons with disabilities on their political rights, the Local Government Act, and electoral processes.
• Conduct awareness sessions across Sindh on the right to vote and participate in political and democratic processes.
• Support persons with disabilities who want to contest elections or take on leadership roles.
• Build the capacity of elected representatives with disabilities to effectively perform their roles.

Our Success: Local Government Representation

The Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2021, took an important step by reserving 1% of seats in local government for persons with disabilities.

We work to ensure that:

• Persons with disabilities are nominated to these reserved seats.
• Elected councillors with disabilities receive the training, support, and resources they need to perform their duties effectively.
• Local government departments and facilities are accessible and inclusive, enabling councillors with disabilities to participate fully and serve their constituents.
• The experience of inclusive local representation is expanded across all districts of Sindh.

This is an important step towards recognizing persons with disabilities as political actors and decision-makers. We work to build on this progress and ensure that representation is meaningful, not merely symbolic.

Women with Disabilities in Political Leadership

Women with disabilities face multiple barriers to political participation.

We advocate for reserved seats and meaningful representation for women with disabilities in elected bodies. We support women with disabilities to contest elections, take leadership roles, and participate in political decision-making.

Our programs maintain a strong gender focus, with a commitment to at least 40% participation by women with disabilities.

Changing Public Attitudes

Political inclusion also requires changing the way society views persons with disabilities.

Our Advocacy:

• Run public awareness campaigns challenging stigma and stereotypes about persons with disabilities as political actors.
• Work with the media to promote positive and accurate representation of persons with disabilities in political life.
• Engage political parties, civil society, and community leaders to promote disability-inclusive politics.
• Build coalitions with human rights organizations, civil society organizations, and government institutions to advance political inclusion.

Accessible Political Institutions

Political participation does not end at the ballot box.

We advocate for:

• Accessible parliamentary and government buildings, including ramps, accessible washrooms, and assistive technologies.
• Sign language interpretation during parliamentary and public proceedings.
• Accessible documents in formats such as Braille, large print, and easy-to-read versions.
• Parliamentary procedures that accommodate the requirements of members with disabilities.
• Accessible digital and communication systems that enable elected representatives with disabilities to perform their duties independently.

We believe that inclusive political representation strengthens democracy for everyone. When persons with disabilities are represented in political structures, policies, development programs, and governance frameworks become more inclusive, accessible, and equitable.

We Collaborate With

• Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) — to promote accessible polling stations, voter registration, and inclusive electoral processes.
• Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh — to implement inclusive electoral policies at the provincial level.
• Political parties — to establish Disability Wings, provide opportunities to contest elections, and promote persons with disabilities in leadership.
• Coalition for Inclusive Pakistan (CIP) — a national alliance of organizations led by persons with disabilities, women, and transgender persons, working to advance equal participation through advocacy, research, and electoral reform.
• Civil society organizations — to build coalitions and advance political inclusion.
• Media — to promote positive representation and public awareness.
• Parliamentary bodies — to promote accessible procedures and disability-inclusive legislation.