Despite frigid weather conditions, election campaigns are gaining momentum nationwide, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where a staggering 128.585 million registered voters, including 59.322 million females and 69.263 million males, will determine the fate of 175 political parties in the upcoming general election of 2024.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, 21.928 million voters, comprising 11.437 million males and 9.983 million females, are poised to exercise their right to franchise for the next five years.
Prof Dr AH Hilali, former Chairman of the Political Science Department at the University of Peshawar, emphasized the crucial role of female voters in the upcoming election, stating that their participation would significantly impact any political party.
Read Call for 5% women representation
Sidra Qaiser, a young voter and school teacher from Nowshera district, expressed her anticipation for casting her first vote on February 8, highlighting the national obligation of voting. She pledged to vote based on a political party’s manifesto.
Dr. Hilali underscores the anticipation surrounding the voter turnout, considering the historical rates of 45%, 54%, and 50% in the elections of 2008, 2013, and 2018, respectively. Of particular significance is the participation of women, constituting approximately 40% of the registered women voters in the 2018 general elections.
The stakes are high, and political strategists are intensifying efforts to sway the opinion of this substantial voting bloc.
Dr. Hilali points out a critical aspect of the electoral landscape—the mobilization of women voters. While political parties claim credit for various initiatives and developments, there exists a substantial gap in engaging female voters, with an average turnout of 40%, falling below international standards.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2024
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