Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday rejected reports that the federal government was considering a proposal to raise the voting age from 18 to 25.
“No such proposals are under our consideration,” Tarar said while responding to a question about the reports. He dismissed the issue as based on rumours.
The debate followed comments by Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs. He had said during the Geo News programme Jirga that the proposal came up in discussions linked to a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment.
Sanaullah also questioned the gap between voting and contesting elections. He said a person cannot contest an election before 25. He added that the contesting age could also be reduced to 18 if voting rights remain at that age.
Under Pakistan’s current election rules, a citizen may register as a voter if they are at least 18 years old on January 1 of the year in which the electoral rolls are prepared or revised. The person must also reside, or be deemed to reside, in the relevant electoral area.
Read: 28th Constitutional Amendment Not Rollback, Malik Says
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said at Parliament House that he did not view the matter as a serious proposal. He warned that denying 18-year-olds the vote would affect the democratic process.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza said an 18-year-old should retain voting rights if the law recognises them as adults. He said a person old enough to marry should also have the right to vote.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said last Saturday that any constitutional amendment would move forward only through consensus. Speaking in Lahore, he said there were no signs of a 28th Amendment at present.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also denied any immediate talks on the proposed amendment. He said no discussions had taken place yet. Meanwhile, State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik rejected claims that a 28th Amendment would roll back the 18th Amendment.
