Talagang: During the 2024 General Elections, the Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-59 Talagang cum Chakwal was elected with only 40 percent of the total ballots cast, amounting to 135,123 votes. This figure represented a mere 22 percent of the 607,840 registered voters, according to the Final Consolidated Result (Form-49).

In the election held on February 8, 2024, the voter turnout in the constituency was reported at 56 percent. Despite winning the seat, the elected MNA faced a significant lack of support from the majority of voters who participated. Approximately 195,751 voters, or 58 percent, opted for other candidates, reflecting a lack of desire for the winner to represent them.

The runner-up in the race garnered 37 percent of the votes, while the third-place candidate received nine percent. The rest of the candidates collectively captured 12 percent of the votes. Additionally, 7,870 ballots, representing two percent of the total cast, were declared invalid and did not contribute to any candidate’s tally.

This analysis is part of a series by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) examining the unrepresentativeness of Pakistan’s electoral outcomes. The series explores how the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral system may skew representation in multi-candidate contests, which are prevalent in Pakistan. In such elections, a majority of voters may feel their voices are not represented, raising questions about the legitimacy of outcomes and potentially contributing to political instability.