Pakistan is preparing for its general elections on February 8, boasting a record-breaking 128 million registered voters. According to a report from the Free and Fair Election Network, there has been a significant increase of 22.5 million voters since 2018, with women constituting 12.5 million of this surge. Remarkably, Pakistan now stands as the fifth-largest democracy worldwide, with a voter-to-population ratio reaching 53.2%.
Despite these achievements, regional variations persist, with Punjab leading at a 57% voter registration rate, while Balochistan lags behind at 36%.
Efforts to bridge the gender gap in voter registration have shown progress, thanks to collaborative initiatives by the Election Commission, NADRA, and civil society. However, challenges remain, particularly in Balochistan.