Elections
Republic Policy, a Think Tank, has made a noteworthy prediction regarding the voter turnout for the upcoming general elections on February 8. Based on feedback from 266 constituencies of the National Assembly, the organization forecasts a surge in participation, estimating that out of 128,585,760 votes, eight crore voters will exercise their right to vote, pushing the turnout beyond 60 percent.
This projection comes in the context of a historical decline in voter turnout, dropping from 55.0% in 2013 to 51.7%. Republic Policy’s optimistic outlook signals a potential reversal of this trend.
Highlighting the importance of voter turnout, the International IDEA report underscores its role as a crucial indicator of citizen engagement in governance. Higher turnout typically signifies the vitality of democracy, while lower participation is associated with voter apathy and mistrust in the political process.
In a related development, the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) released a comprehensive report shedding light on the involvement of young voters in Pakistan’s electoral process. The report reveals that during the 2018 general elections, 37% of the youth exercised their voting rights, a substantial increase from the average turnout of 31% in the last eight elections.
During the report’s launch ceremony, political figures voiced concerns and suggestions. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ali Zafar raised allegations about the implementation of free and fair election principles, asserting that these standards are not being upheld. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnanullah expressed concerns about certain political factions engaging in negative propaganda that impacts the youth’s perception.
As the nation approaches the crucial electoral event, the predictions by Republic Policy and insights from PILDAT underscore the evolving dynamics of voter engagement and the broader implications for the democratic process in Pakistan.
