Polls in Pakistan: 10 data points to explain the elections
Context- In the face of soaring inflation and numerous economic and political challenges, Pakistan is set to conduct its national elections on February 8. This is a comprehensive guide to the imminent elections, the current economic and political climate in Pakistan, and its voting system — encapsulated in 10 key facts.
- 128 million registered voters Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country, has about 128 million registered voters out of a total population of 241 million. However, voter turnout is typically less than the total number of registered voters.
- 44% voters under age of 35 With a median age of 20, Pakistan has a young population. This youth demographic, which makes up 44% of registered voters, is a significant factor in the upcoming elections.
- 266 directly-elected seats in National Assembly The election will fill 266 seats in Pakistan’s National Assembly through a first-past-the-post system.
- 60 seats reserved for women, 10 for non-Muslims Beyond the 266 directly elected seats, the National Assembly reserves 60 seats for women and 10 for non-Muslims, allocated proportionally based on the election results.
- 173 seats for Punjab Among Pakistan’s four provinces and the Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab holds the most seats in the National Assembly, with a total of 173, including reserved seats.
- 5,121 candidates The Election Commission of Pakistan has registered 5,121 candidates for the upcoming elections, with a majority being male.
- 167 registered parties These candidates are either affiliated with one of the 167 registered political parties or are independent candidates. Major parties include the PML-N and the PPP.
- 90,582 polling stations Voters will cast their votes at one of the 90,582 polling stations across the country, which are categorized based on their sensitivity levels.
- Near 30% inflation, devaluation of currency top issues The economic situation, marked by near 30% inflation and significant currency devaluation, is a major concern for voters.
- 100s of PTI workers arrested The election process has been marred by allegations of malpractice, including the arrest of hundreds of PTI workers and the barring of PTI from contesting elections.
Conclusion- The upcoming national elections in Pakistan are set against a backdrop of significant economic and political challenges. With a large and young voter base, the results could be influenced by a variety of factors, from the number of candidates and parties to the economic issues at hand. The process has been marked by controversy, with allegations of malpractice and the sidelining of certain parties. As the country heads to the polls, the world will be watching closely to see how these complex dynamics play out.
