In preparation for the upcoming general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has secured an agreement with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the procurement of 2,000 new laptops. These laptops will be allocated to returning officers (ROs) to facilitate the election process.
According to sources, the HEC will procure standard laptops for this purpose.
The ECP has also released a report indicating that the total number of registered voters in Pakistan has surpassed 126.9 million as of September 19, 2023. This staggering figure underscores the significant participation expected in the upcoming general elections.
The report provides insight into the gender distribution of voters, revealing that 54.02 percent are male, while 45.98 percent are female. Furthermore, it highlights the distribution of voters by age group. The largest demographic falls within the 26 to 35-year age group, suggesting the potential influence of young voters in the upcoming elections.
The age-wise breakdown indicates that over 57 million eligible voters are between 18 and 35 years old, accounting for a substantial portion of the electorate. This age group is followed by those aged 36 to 45 years, with 27.7 million voters, making up 22 percent of the total. The report also details the distribution of voters by age up to those over 65 years old.
In terms of provincial distribution, Islamabad has over one million registered voters, while Punjab leads with 70.23 million voters. Balochistan accounts for over 5.27 million registered voters, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) having more than 20.19 million voters. Additionally, Sindh boasts 26.52 million registered voters.
Comparatively, during the 2018 general elections, which brought the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to power, the total number of registered voters was 106 million. The significant increase in registered voters underscores the democratic engagement and participation of the Pakistani populace in shaping the country’s political landscape.
With preparations underway, including the procurement of laptops for election commission officials and a record number of registered voters, Pakistan is gearing up for an important electoral event that will shape the nation’s political future.