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Pakistan commenced its national and state legislature elections on Thursday, February 8, amidst a backdrop of multifaceted challenges, including escalating polarization and instances of violence, shaping the electoral landscape of the country.
The outcome of the election will determine the composition of the next government in Pakistan, encompassing the national parliament and the legislative assemblies of the four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Here are key insights into the Pakistan Election 2024:
- Eligible Voters: Approximately 128 million individuals, above the age of 18, out of Pakistan’s total population of 241 million, are eligible to exercise their voting rights in this election.
- National Assembly Seats: The National Assembly of Pakistan comprises 336 seats, with 266 candidates being elected through direct voting.
- Reserved Seats: 70 seats are reserved, including 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims, ensuring diverse representation in the parliament.
- Parliament Formation: Pakistan is set to form its 16th Parliament through this electoral process.
- Polling Stations and Booths: A total of 90,582 polling stations and 276,402 polling booths have been established nationwide to facilitate the voting process.
- Gender Distribution of Voters: Of the eligible voters, there are 69 million women and 59 million men.
- Youth Participation: Approximately 23.51 million voters are between 18 and 25 years old, and 33.34 million are between 26 and 35 years old, highlighting significant youth participation.
- Candidate Statistics: A total of 5,121 candidates are contesting for the National Assembly, including 312 female candidates and two transgender candidates, representing diverse segments of society.
- Political Parties: 167 political parties are registered for the elections, with some candidates also running independently.
- Voting Hours: Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a nine-hour window for voters to cast their ballots.
- Provincial Voter Registration: Samaa TV reported voter registration numbers: 73.21 million in Punjab, 26.9 million in Sindh, 21.9 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 5.37 million in Balochistan.
- Security Measures: A significant deployment of 596,618 armed forces personnel has been stationed outside polling booths nationwide to ensure security and maintain order during the voting process.
- Past Voter Turnout: The voter turnout in the previous elections held in 2018 stood at 51.9 percent, indicating significant public engagement in the electoral process.
The results of the 2024 elections will shape Pakistan’s political landscape and determine the course of governance for the nation, reflecting the aspirations and choices of its diverse populace.
