Change allows Christians to vote in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s abolition of an electoral system that discriminated against religious minorities has received recognition from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Before the reforms, Pakistan’s electoral system provided for separate at-large seats in the national and provincial assemblies and local councils for four categories of non-Muslims: Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and others. Unlike Muslims, members of these groups were not allowed to vote for representatives in their local districts. Only 2 percent of Pakistan’s population is non-Muslim.

Jan. 16 the system changed when Pakistan’s government, headed by General Pervez Musharraf, abolished the voting restrictions and dramatically increased the number of seats in the lower house of Parliament in order to increase representation.