Islamabad: In the General Elections of 2024, Pakistan witnessed the casting of 216,204 postal ballots, a segment of the electorate that, while small in comparison to the overall voter turnout, provides significant insights into party organization and provincial political dynamics.
According to Free and Fair Election Network, postal ballots, predominantly cast by public servants, security personnel, and voters unable to be physically present in their constituencies, highlight the structured support networks and party penetration within state-linked segments of the electorate. Despite their importance, the Election Commission of Pakistan does not provide a category-wise breakdown of these ballots.
Nationally, the contest between the Pakistan People Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was nearly tied, with PPPP securing 44,701 ballots and PML-N receiving 44,668, a difference of just 33 votes. However, this near parity at the national level masks the strong provincial bases that each party maintains.
In Sindh, PPPP dominated with 26,818 of the province's 31,974 postal ballots, underscoring its provincial strength. Conversely, PML-N's 44,668 votes are heavily supported by Punjab, where it garnered 24,746 out of 59,646 ballots. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) affiliated independents (IND-PTI) secured 35,021 ballots nationwide, focusing their strength in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of postal ballots at 80,715, representing 37% of the national total. Here, IND-PTI led with 15,510 ballots, trailed closely by Jamaiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-P) with 14,482, reflecting a competitive political landscape.
In Punjab, which contributed 59,646 postal ballots, PML-N maintained a lead over IND-PTI, highlighting a polarizing two-party dynamic. Meanwhile, in Sindh, PPPP's overwhelming dominance was evident, as it secured 84% of the province's postal ballots.
The overall picture indicates that while PPPP, PML-N, and IND-PTI collectively account for 58% of the postal ballots nationwide, their support is deeply rooted in specific provinces, highlighting the fragmented nature of Pakistan's political landscape. The narrow national margin between PPPP and PML-N is a testament to the balancing effect of these provincial strongholds across the federation.