ISLAMABAD: Ahma­dis have decided to “dissociate” themselves from the coming elections in protest against the exclusion of their names from the joint voters’ list, according to a statement issued by the community’s media office on Thursday.

The statement said that elections were being conducted on the basis of a joint electorate, but a separate list was prepared exclusively for Ahmadis by the Election Commission.

The voters’ list prepared by the Election Commis­sion includes all religious groups — Muslims, Hin­dus, Christians, Zoroasta­rians and Sikhs.

But, they claimed, the names of Ahmadis appear on a separate list under the heading, “Qadiani Men/Women’’.

Community spokesperson Amir Mahmood said that in view of the “prevailing circumstances, it is not possible for Ahmadis to participate in the general election”. Therefore, the community has decided to dissociate itself from the Feb 8 elections, he added.

“The community disowns anyone claiming to represent it in the elections. The discriminatory treatment on the basis of religion is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise Ahmadi citizens.

“Such prejudicial beha­viour goes against the vis­ion of the Father of the Na­­tion and contravenes both the Constitution and the joint electorate system,” the spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.