- The 2024 Pakistan elections saw a rise to 127 million registered voters, with a notable increase in female voters compared to males.
- A historic high of 28,626 nomination papers, representing an 11% increase in women candidates, highlights a positive shift. However, gender balance remains a challenge in Pakistani politics.
- Major parties like Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan People’s Party, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf nominate female candidates, indicating a growing recognition of women’s active role in politics.
As the 2024 Pakistan elections approach, political parties have nominated candidates for their respective constituencies, with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) assigning electoral symbols. Women candidates are actively participating in the predominantly male-dominated electoral landscape. The elections are to be held on the 8th of February 2024.
The overall count of registered voters in the nation has surged to 127 million from the previous 106 million, witnessing an increase of 11.74 million female voters in comparison to 9.28 million male voters since the general elections of 2018.
11% Women Contestants Stand for 2024 Pakistan Elections
A historic high of 28,626 nomination papers have been submitted, surpassing the figures of 21,426 in 2018 and 27,991 in 2013, showcasing a promising 11% representing women candidates.
The National Assembly witnessed an influx of 7,713 nomination papers from Pakistan’s provinces and Islamabad. Among these, 7,242 emanated from male candidates, while a notably lower tally of 471 originated from female candidates. In the four provincial assemblies, 18,546 nomination forms were filed, featuring 802 women and 17,744 men in contention.
Despite the discernible uptick in the involvement of women and minorities, an evident disparity persists. Women make up only 6.10% of National Assembly candidates and 4.32% in the provincial assemblies, underscoring the ongoing challenge of attaining gender balance in Pakistani politics.
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Female Candidates from the Pakistan Muslim League
The party has allotted 6 general seats to female candidates including:
- Maryam Nawaz Sharif
- Saira Afzal Tarar
- Nosheen Iftikhar
- Shazra Mansab Ali
- Tehmina Doultana
- Syeda Shehrbanu Bukhari.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Female candidates for National Assembly general seats include:
- Nafisa Shah
- Shazia Marri
- Dr Savera Parkash from Bruner
- Sajida Tabbasum, Mansehra
- Shazia Tehmas
- Mehr Sultana
- Farzana Shireen
- Shaista Raza
- Dr. Ghazala Atta
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued ‘record’ National Assembly tickets to 21 women contestants
- Former MNA Iman Tahir Sadiq from Attock
- Former MPA Seemabia Tahir from Rawalpindi
- Former adviser to Prime Minister Usman Dar from Sialkot Rehana Imtiaz Dar
- Former MNA from Lahore Alia Hamza Malik
- Former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid
- Sidra Faisal from Kasur
- Mehr Bano Qureshi daughter of Shah Mahmood Qureshi from Multan
- Ayesha Nazir Jatt daughter of former MNA Nazir Jatt from Vahari
- Mrs. Talat Basra wife of Shaukat Basra from Bahawalnagar
- Former MNA Kanwal Shuzab from Bahawalpur
- Mrs. Qamar Javed Waraich from Rahim Yar Khan (RYK)
- Mrs. Humira Ahmad Khan from Muzaffargarh
- Mrs. Anbar Majeed Niazi, wife of ex-MNA Majeed Niazi from Layyah
- Former minister Zartaj Gul Wazir from Dera Ghazi Khan (D.I. Khan)
- Umbreen Malik from Khairpur
- Hamida Masood Shah from Sanghar
- Maherul Nasa Baloch from Tharparkar
- Nazish Fatima Bhatti from Matiari
- Rozeena Bhutto from Tando Ulyar
- Shabana Nawab Bajarani from Dadu
- former MNA Shandana Gulzar from Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
So this Thursday, go out and cast your vote for Pakistan!
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