In a significant step towards Pakistan’s highly anticipated general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan recently unveiled its provisional report on the delimitation of constituencies. The ECP’s move comes on the heels of the recently concluded national census, a critical factor in shaping the electoral landscape of the nation. This development marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s democratic journey as it inches closer to the much-anticipated electoral process.
The ECP officially announced the release of the preliminary report and constituency maps, making them accessible to the public on its website (https://www.ecp.gov.pk/). These materials will remain available for public scrutiny for 30 days, ending on October 26. During this time, voters residing in specific constituencies can raise objections regarding the proposed delimitation.
However, the ECP has set specific criteria for submitting objections. Those who wish to raise objections must be residents of the relevant constituency, ensuring that the complaints are made by individuals directly affected by the proposed changes. Furthermore, the ECP has stated that objections submitted through courier, post, or fax will not be considered valid, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has scheduled the review of objections from October 28 to November 26. This period will be crucial in addressing concerns raised by citizens and ensuring that the delimitation process is as fair and transparent as possible. Additionally, interested parties can obtain district maps from the ECP for a nominal fee, facilitating a better understanding of the proposed changes.
The Delimitation Process:
The ECP’s report outlines the meticulous process to determine the delimitation of National and provincial assembly seats. The process began with the publication of the final results of the 7th digital census by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on August 7. Following this, the ECP initiated the delimitation process following Section 17 of the Elections Act 2017.
To allocate seats fairly, five delimitation committees were formed to draft proposals for constituency delimitation. The report highlights that the population of each province or area was divided by the total number of general seats, resulting in an average population quota per National Assembly seat. Similarly, the population of a province was divided by the total number of available seats allocated to the provincial assembly, establishing a quota per seat for the local community.
The ECP’s report also addressed the unique challenges of Balochistan’s population distribution, which combined multiple districts into a single seat. This approach was also adopted in other provinces when necessary, ensuring equitable representation.
Key Findings:
The report offers insights into the allocation of members based on population data from the census of 2023. Punjab, with a population of 127.6 million, has been granted the highest number of seats in the National Assembly, receiving 141 seats. Each constituency in Punjab has been divided based on a quota of 905,595.
In Sindh, which has a population of 55.6 million, 61 National Assembly seats have been distributed, with a quota of 913,052 per seat. For the Sindh Assembly, 130 seats have been allocated, with each seat determined by a percentage of 428,432.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a population of 40.8 million, has been allotted 45 National Assembly seats, each with a quota of 907,913. In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, 115 seats have been assigned, with each heart determined by a percentage of 355,270.
Balochistan, with a population of 14.8 million, has been given 16 National Assembly seats, and each constituency has been divided based on a quota of 930,900. The provincial assembly of Balochistan comprises 51 seats, each determined by a percentage of 292,047.
In Islamabad, the federal capital with a population of 2.3 million, three seats have been allocated, each determined by a quota of 787,954.
The Road to General Elections:
Last week, the ECP announced that the general elections in Pakistan are scheduled to take place in the last week of January 2024. This announcement put to rest the uncertainty surrounding the election date, which had arisen due to the need for a new census and subsequent delimitation.
The ECP had set a detailed timeline for the various stages of the electoral process. Notably, the final list of constituencies is expected to be published on November 30, following the resolution of objections and suggestions related to delimitations. Subsequently, the polls will be conducted in the last week of January 2024, following a 54-day election schedule.
This timeline and the transparent delimitation process are crucial in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections and upholding the democratic principles that are foundational to Pakistan’s governance.
International Support for Free and Fair Elections:
International support for Pakistan’s democratic processes has been a notable aspect of this journey. The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, recently reaffirmed his country’s support for “free and fair elections” in Pakistan, emphasizing that the selection of Pakistan’s future leaders is a decision for the Pakistani people to make.
President Arif Alvi also played a role in ensuring the timely conduct of elections by invoking Article 48(5) of the Constitution, which grants him the authority to set an election date within 90 days of the dissolution of assemblies. This constitutional provision underscores the importance of adhering to established democratic timelines.
In Conclusion:
The release of the preliminary report on constituency delimitation by the Election Commission of Pakistan marks a significant milestone on the path to the upcoming general elections. The transparent and meticulous delimitation process and the opportunity for public input and international support for free and fair polls underscores Pakistan’s commitment to democratic governance.
As the nation moves forward with the finalization of constituencies and election preparations, the focus remains on ensuring that the electoral process reflects the people’s will and upholds the principles of democracy that are fundamental to Pakistan’s identity and progress.