MANDI BAHAUDDIN: In the 2024 General Elections, the Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-69 Mandi Bahauddin-II was elected with 113,506 votes. This accounted for 38 percent of the 299,269 total ballots cast and represented only 19 percent of the 601,901 registered voters in the constituency.

The Final Consolidated Result (Form-49) showed a voter turnout of 50 percent. Despite the victory, the elected representative did not have the support of the majority of voters who participated in the election on February 8, 2024. A significant 58 percent of these voters, or 174,117 individuals, opted for other candidates, signaling a preference against the winner representing them.

The runner-up in the election secured 36 percent of the votes, while the candidate in third place received nine percent. The remaining candidates collectively garnered 12 percent of the ballots. Additionally, 11,646 ballots, representing four percent of the total, were declared invalid and did not contribute to any candidate's tally.

This analysis is part of the Free and Fair Election Network's (FAFEN) examination of the unrepresentativeness seen in Pakistan's electoral outcomes. The series draws attention to how the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system can distort representation in elections with multiple candidates, a common scenario in Pakistan. Such electoral dynamics can leave a majority of voters feeling unrepresented and raise concerns regarding legitimacy, which could potentially lead to political instability.

For more detailed insights into electoral dynamics, visit the FAFEN website to explore analyses of other constituencies.