Tags / Political Rights

Pakistan celebrated its first General Parliamentary Elections on May 11th, 2013.
The elections are the first civilian transfer of power following the five year term of a democratically elected government.

Men awaiting their turn to vote at a polling station.

A man gets his ballot papers from an election official in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

An election official verifies a voter's I.D before issuing him his ballot.

An election official inks a voter's thumb.

Men standing in line at at a polling station waiting to vote on Pakistan's election day.

A Pakistani woman shows her ink-stained thumb after casting her ballot at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Defying the danger of militant attacks, Pakistanis streamed to the polls Saturday for a historic vote pitting a former cricket star against a two-time prime minister and an unpopular incumbent

A Pakistani woman shows her ink-stained thumb after casting her ballot at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Defying the danger of militant attacks, Pakistanis streamed to the polls Saturday for a historic vote pitting a former cricket star against a two-time prime minister and an unpopular incumbent.

Kalsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League party chief Nawaz Sharif, walks out of a polling station after casting her ballot in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Defying the danger of militant attacks, Pakistanis streamed to the polls or a historic vote pitting a former cricket star against a two-time prime minister and an unpopular incumbent.

A Pakistani man casts his vote at a polling station on May 11, 2013 in the Old City of Lahore, Pakistan.
Pakistan's parliamentary elections were held on May 11, 2013. Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehrik- e- Insaf (PTI) and Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) were campaigning intensely the past several weeks before the election polls opened.

A Pakistani child holds the picture of Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehrik-e -Insaf (PTI) party.
Pakistan's parliamentary elections are due to be held on May 11, 2013. Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehrik- e- Insaf (PTI) and Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) have been campaigning intensely the past several weeks before the election polls open.

The main road connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi is usually bustling with activity, but today, it remains deserted on election day.

Campaign posters hang on a main road in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on election day.

People coming out to vote in the Raja Bazaar district of Rawalpindi.

PMLN Camps guiding their voters to the appropriate polling stations in Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Pakistan army soldiers guard a polling station in the Rawalpindi as polling starts. The area is expected to see fierce electoral battle between PTI and PMLN.

Pakistan army soldiers walk past women awaiting to vote near a polling station.

A women a at a polling station in the raja Bazaar area of Rawalpindi. This is the first election that women have been allocated separate polling stations to vote.

A woman gets her thumb inked at a polling station in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

A woman casts her vote on election day.

An election commission official issues a ballot to a voter.

A woman casts her vote in inner city polling station in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Women wait for their turn to vote at a women only polling station.

A polling official verifies a voter's identity from the voter lists.

A woman walks out of a polling station guarded by police .

Voters gesturing a victory sign to the camera as they await to cast their vote at a polling station.

Men scramble to get in a polling station to vote on election day in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

A little girl protests against the election day.

Women walk into a polling station in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on election day.

At 46 years old, Lubna is transgendered and an independent elections candidate.

Rejected because she is transgendered, Lubna lives away from her family.

Lubna sits with Sidra, her friend and assistant in her election campaign. Lubna shares this home with 6 other transgenders who make their living by dancing in wedding ceremonies.
Very popular among the transgender community in Jhelum, Lubna is a former wedding dancer who decided to run for a seat in the provincial assembly. Now legally recognized, several transgender people are running for elections and working toward equal rights for the community.

Lubna sits in her home, which she shares with other transgendered people, in the suburbs of Jhelum city.

Election campaign material for transgender candidate Lubna. She is using the electoral sign of a Cow in her campaign.
Very popular among the transgender community in Jhelum, Lubna is a former wedding dancer who decided to run for a seat in the provincial assembly. Now legally recognized, several transgender people are running for elections and working toward equal rights for the community.

Lubna hands out her manifesto to people in the area she where she lives and worked. She is contesting for provincial assembly seat for District Jhelum.
Very popular among the transgender community in Jhelum, Lubna is a former wedding dancer who decided to run for a seat in the provincial assembly. Now legally recognized, several transgender people are running for elections and working toward equal rights for the community.

Election banners and posters dominate markets of Jhelum, Pakistan. The election campaigning is in full swing across Pakistan. Jhelum has special significance in this election as for the first time in its long history, a transgender is contesting for elections.
Very popular among the transgender community in Jhelum, Lubna is a former wedding dancer who decided to run for a seat in the provincial assembly. Now legally recognized, several transgender people are running for elections and working toward equal rights for the community.

Lubna and her fellow transgenders know the inner city of Jhelum very well, as they have worked and lived in this area for a long time. Here, they go shop to shop in the market to distribute Lubna's election manifesto.

Lubna distributes her election manifesto to a shopkeeper.

Residents of inner Jhelum look on as Lubna walks by. She is very familiar with the area and its residents and many welcome her contesting in the elections.
Very popular among the transgender community in Jhelum, Lubna is a former wedding dancer who decided to run for a seat in the provincial assembly. Now legally recognized, several transgender people are running for elections and working toward equal rights for the community.

Lubna talks to an old lady in streets of Jhelum.
Very popular among the transgender community in Jhelum, Lubna is a former wedding dancer who decided to run for a seat in the provincial assembly. Now legally recognized, several transgender people are running for elections and working toward equal rights for the community.