ISLAMABAD: A new report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) reveals that Pakistan’s electoral outcomes have consistently failed to represent the majority of registered voters over the past two decades. The report, titled “Representation in Pakistan’s Elections (2002-2024),” highlights that successive National and Provincial Assemblies have been backed by less than a quarter of registered voters and just over half of those who cast ballots.

According to a statement by Free and Fair Election Network, the report points to systemic inadequacies in aligning legislative bodies with voter intentions, contributing to political instability and diminishing public trust in electoral results. It calls for immediate reforms to the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system, which currently governs elections for general seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies.

FAFEN’s analysis details a persistent gap in representation across five general elections since 2002. For instance, the National Assembly emerging from the 2002 general elections had the support of only 20 percent of registered voters and 47 percent of those who voted. In subsequent elections, this trend continued, with the 2024 Assembly representing just 21 percent of registered voters and 45 percent of polled votes.

A closer look at the 2024 general election results reveals that none of the 265 constituencies elected a winner with majority support from registered voters. Moreover, 76 percent of constituencies saw winners backed by less than a quarter of registered voters. In contrast, only 26 percent of constituencies had winners securing over half of the polled votes.

Provincial assembly elections mirrored these national trends, with only two constituencies having winners who secured more than 50 percent of registered votes. Most winners were supported by less than 25 percent of registered voters.

The report identifies the FPTP system as a major factor in these unrepresentative outcomes. It exacerbates issues by allowing candidates to win without majority voter support. FAFEN urges Parliament to initiate a debate on the system’s representativeness and explore ways to increase voter engagement and ensure more representative electoral outcomes.