Pakistan’s electoral rolls have contracted by a staggering 589,458 registered voters between May 7 and July 2, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has removed an estimated one million deceased voters from the electoral database. This significant reduction in voter numbers is more than offsetting fresh registrations during the period.
According to official ECP statistics analyzed by Dawn, the total number of registered voters fell from 137,163,857 on May 7 to 136,574,399 on July 2. A senior ECP official stated that a net decline of 589,458 voters nationwide resulted in this significant contraction.
The reduction narrowed the gender gap among registered voters from about 941,000 to 910,000. Overall, 99 out of the country’s 144 districts recorded a decline in registered voters, while 45 districts posted a net increase.
Punjab accounted for the overwhelming share of the decline, with the province losing 478,909 voters, accounting for an estimated 81.2% of the nationwide reduction. The number of male voters dropped from 73,286,821 to 72,835,859, while female voters declined from 63,877,036 to 63,738,540.
The largest declines were recorded in Faisalabad (41,264 voter entries removed), Sheikhupura (31,783 voters), Gujranwala (30,302 voters), and Sialkot (30,129 voters). The number of voters in Gujrat dropped by 29,553, followed by Sargodha with a decline of 26,675.
The province lost 9,049 voters, accounting for 1.53% of the total decline. While the number of male voters slipped by 16,884, the number of female voters increased by 7,838.
In contrast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) recorded a comparatively small net decline of 9,046 voters, with the provincial total falling from 23,415,995 to 23,406,949. However, it was the only province where more districts recorded gains than losses.
The number of voters in KP increased by 20,000, accounting for 1% of the total decline. The biggest increase was recorded in Peshawar (4,835 voters), followed by Bajaur with 3,797 and Lower Dir with 3,326.
In overall terms, the province lost 9,049 voters, accounting for 1.53% of the total decline. While the number of male voters slipped by 16,884, the number of female voters increased by 7,838.
The reduction in voter numbers has significant implications for Pakistan’s democratic process and electoral system. The ECP’s decision to remove deceased voters from the electoral database is a crucial step towards ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the electoral process.
Source: Dawn
Based on reporting from Dawn.
