PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce Pakistan’s voter registration gap between men and women. According to the electoral body, female voters now make up 46.13pc of the total 131.53m voters, a rise from 44.11pc in 2018. The latest data also shows that the number of districts with a gender gap of over 10pc has dropped from 80 to 30. The ECP says its efforts have included gender-sensitive training for its officials, enforcing a 5pc allocation of general seat tickets to women by political parties, and improving voting experiences at polling stations with dedicated facilities and privacy measures. In addition, the ECP’s collaboration with Nadra for mobile registration units has enabled easier access to NICs for women in rural and remote areas, a necessary step in enabling them to vote. Together with awareness campaigns, mock polls, and dialogues, particularly on Rural Women’s Day, the electoral body has managed to foster an environment where more women feel encouraged and able to register and vote.

Among the provinces, Punjab leads with over 45pc female voters across all 41 districts, with districts like Chakwal (49.5pc) and Talagang (49.06pc) showing particularly high female voter proportions. However, major urban centres like Lahore and Faisalabad still show substantial gender gaps, with nearly 390,000 and 380,000 more male than female voters, respectively. KP and Balochistan, despite their constraints, have also seen improvement in female voter registration. In contrast, Sindh has shown less progress, with its female voter proportion stagnant at 45.94pc since 2021. These figures underscore a need for targeted, localised strategies that address specific cultural and logistical barriers in these areas. To further bring women voter numbers up, the ECP should employ additional targeted measures. Increasing the number of mobile voter registration units in Sindh and other urban centres where gaps persist could simplify the registration process for women. Public awareness campaigns could also help address barriers like mobility constraints and cultural resistance to voting. Collaborating with CSOs with strong grassroots networks could extend the reach of the ECP’s efforts. In addition, a greater number of women at polling stations and in the ECP’s own ranks could further boost female political participation. With sustained efforts, we can ensure a voter base that fully reflects our diversity.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024