The failure to ensure transparency in the vote counting process has sown chaos, leading stakeholders to question the results. The ECP’s silence in the face of mounting allegations further exacerbates the damage, necessitating an urgent awakening from the commission to address public concerns and restore faith in the democratic process. Interestingly and captivatingly, amid this decrease in turnout, a silver lining emerges, as approximately 5.8 million more citizens exercised their voting rights in 2024 compared to the 2018 elections. The apparent anomaly of increased votes but decreased turnout can be attributed to the unprecedented addition of 22.6 million voters to the electoral rolls preceding this year’s election. A more detailed investigation into voting patterns across different age brackets promises to shed light on whether the substantial influx of young voters positively impacted overall turnout.

In an unexpected twist that challenged widespread assumptions, the recent post-election analysis conducted by the Independent and Impartial Electoral Consortium reveals a noticeable downturn in the overall level of citizen engagement in the electoral process compared to the 2018 elections. The analysis, relying on the meticulously collected Form 47 data published by the Electoral Commission of the People, discloses a decrease in voter turnout from 52.1 percent in 2018 to 47.6 percent in the current year. The consequences of this phenomenon hold significant implications for the landscape of Pakistan’s electoral politics. Observers and analysts eagerly await a comprehensive examination of whether the surge in registered voters, particularly the youth demographic, translated into a genuine enhancement of democratic participation. In terms of regional disparities, Balochistan and KP recorded the lowest turnouts, with KP marginally underperforming Balochistan. Punjab, on the other hand, witnessed the most pronounced decline in turnout, plummeting to 51.6 percent in 2024 from 56.8 percent in the previous general election. While it remains premature to attribute this decline to specific factors due to limited available data, the hope persists that it does not signify a sustained erosion of citizens’ enthusiasm for democratic processes.

The election results underscore a prevailing belief among Pakistani voters that their ballots can convey a potent message to influential entities. Despite concerns about result manipulation casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the exercise, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shoulders the responsibility for potential credibility loss. Nevertheless, the unprecedented nature of the results may serve as a catalyst, inspiring greater voter turnout and ensuring that citizens’ voices resonate more strongly in future elections. On a positive note, the notable surge in women voters, surpassing the increase in male voters by more than double, signals a positive trend. The increased inclination of women to participate in the electoral process is a development worth celebrating and, ideally, maintaining in subsequent elections.

Shifting focus, the Election Commission of Pakistan finds itself thrust into an unavoidable quagmire. Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha’s explosive press conference on Saturday, wherein he levied serious allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), has intensified calls for an immediate and impartial audit of the election results. Chattha, expressing remorse for his role in facilitating election rigging, implicated not only himself but also implicated the heads of the judiciary and the ECP in what he described as “the theft of the people’s mandate.” The gravity of Chattha’s claims is amplified by his influential position as a commissioner, one of the highest-ranking bureaucrats tasked with overseeing entire administrative divisions. While his actions have been hailed as an act of resistance against powerful forces, caution must be exercised to avoid confirmation bias. An urgent and thorough investigation is imperative, and any supporting evidence must be presented to the public to ensure transparency and credibility.