KHYBER: Voter registration in Khyber has reached 56% of its estimated 2025 population, surpassing the national voter registration rate of 54% by two percentage points. This figure highlights the district’s higher rate of voter involvement compared to the national average.

According to Free and Fair Election Network, these statistics are based on district-wise electoral roll data published by the Election Commission of Pakistan on December 30, 2025, and are aligned with population estimates from the 2023 Digital Census. The 2025 population estimate is calculated using a 2.58% annual growth rate applied to Khyber’s census population of 1,146,267, resulting in an estimated population of 1,206,178. The voter registration rate is determined by dividing the number of registered voters by this estimated population.

The district of Khyber reports 680,131 registered voters, comprising 373,094 males (54.9%) and 307,037 females (45.1%). Male registration stands at 59% of the estimated male population, while female registration is at 53%. Nationally, Khyber ranks 76th by population size and is represented by one Member of the National Assembly. In terms of voter registration rate, it ranks 39th nationally and 16th within the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The above-average registration rate in Khyber can be attributed to two rules from Pakistan’s 2023 Digital Census. Firstly, household members absent for more than six months were not counted at their home address. Secondly, individuals previously living in a household but now residing elsewhere were recorded at their current address. Labor migration, including movement to urban centers and overseas, has significantly impacted Khyber’s population count, as many residents were enumerated at their destination locations but remain registered as voters in Khyber based on their permanent CNIC address. This results in a smaller population denominator relative to the voter roll, thus elevating the registration ratio.

Despite the strong overall registration rate, female voters account for 45.1% of the electorate, indicating a gender gap of 9.7%. Continued efforts to promote equitable female voter registration are necessary to address this disparity.