Number of registered voters in ‘West Pakistan’ increased by almost 400pc in 53 years

LAHORE: The total number of registered voters in West Pakistan (which is the current Pakistan after December the 16, 1971 tragedy that led to formation of Bangladesh) has increased to 128.586 million (128,585,760) in January 2024 from just 25.73 million (25,730,280) during the December 7, 1970 ballot exercise, which thereby means that the number of people declared eligible to exercise their right of franchise for next month’s polling spree has surged by a whopping 102.86 million (102,855,480) or by almost 400 per cent during the last 53 years and two months, research conducted by the “Jang Group and Geo Television Network” shows.

During the December 7, 1970 ballot exercise, the number of combined registered voters in West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was 56.941 million (56,941,500), which constituted 31.21 million voters (31,211,220) from East Pakistan and 25.73 million (25,730,280) from the Western Wing of the country.

For the 2024 polls, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has assigned 150 different symbols to registered political parties, while 174 have been allotted to independent candidates.

While the number of male voters this year has soared to 69.26 million (69,263,704), the number of female voters currently stands at 59.32 million (59,322,056). Hence, 53.87 percent males and 46.13 percent females are eligible to vote next month.

In 2018, 59.22 million men and 46.73 million women voters were eligible to vote.

According to the ECP, there are 23.51 million voters between the ages 18 and 25 while the number of voters between the ages 26 and 35 years is 33.34 million.

The 23.51 million voters between the ages 18-25 include 14.8 million male and 9.32 million female. The 33.34 million voters in the age group of 26-35 years include 17.89 million male and 15.44 million female voters. In addition, another 28.74 million voters are in the age bracket of 36-45 years.

They include 15.08 million male and 13.67 million female voters. A thorough analysis of the age-wise data of voters reveals that as many as 19 districts in three provinces, excluding Sindh, have more than 50 per cent individuals, below the age of 35, have been enrolled as voters.