The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has published its analysis of voter participation in the 2024 general elections, highlighting key trends and changes compared to previous polls, ARY News reported.
According to the report, 61.28 million voters participated in the elections, resulting in a voter turnout of 48%, a decline from the 52% recorded in 2018. Despite the lower turnout, the number of registered voters saw a significant increase, with 22.5 million new registrations over the last six years.
One significant development was the notable rise in female voter registration, which surpassed male registration growth for the first time. FAFEN revealed that 12.5 million more women were registered than men for the 2024 elections.
This trend contributed to narrowing the gender gap in voter turnout, reducing the disparity from 10% in 2018 to 9% in 2024.
The report also highlighted disparities between urban and rural voting patterns. Rural areas recorded a higher voter turnout of 50%, compared to 43.8% in urban regions.
FAFEN’s findings provide crucial insights into evolving voter demographics and participation, offering valuable guidance for policymakers and electoral bodies to enhance future election engagement.
Calls for Constitutional Reforms
In October 2024, FAFEN urged political parties to engage in transparent and inclusive discussions on constitutional reforms.
The organization emphasized addressing critical shortcomings in the current constitution to strengthen Pakistan’s legislative, electoral, and local government systems. FAFEN identified constitutional deficiencies as a root cause of ongoing political instability and stressed the urgency of reforms to empower Parliament as the guardian of public interests.
Key recommendations included:
- Enhancing parliamentary authority to protect citizens’ fundamental rights.
- Introducing public scrutiny in the appointment of constitutional officeholders.
- Granting the Election Commission oversight of Senate elections to prevent conflicts like those in 2021.
FAFEN urged political parties to prioritize national interests over personal or communal differences, emphasizing the need for consensus-building to ensure political stability and good governance.
The organization reiterated that a strong, independent Parliament is essential for safeguarding democracy and securing citizens’ rights.
