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Following the delineation of new constituencies by the Election Commission, Karachi Division has witnessed intriguing disparities in population and voter figures, prompting concerns and raising questions about the electoral landscape.
The voter population in Karachi Division stands at 44.63% relative to the total population. Notably, the Central district exhibits the highest percentage of voters compared to the population, with 55.12%, while Malir district lags behind with 33.91% voters relative to the population. This 22% difference between the two districts is marked as unusual and has prompted scrutiny for such significant variations within a city.
In terms of districts, the Eastern district of Karachi claims the top spot in population but ranks fifth in terms of voters. Conversely, the Western district secures the second position in population but leads in voters.
Korangi district is unique, holding the third position in both population and voters. The district stands fourth in Western population but slips to the sixth position in terms of voters. Meanwhile, Malir district holds the fifth position in population and drops to seventh in voters. The district ranks sixth in Southern population but claims the second position in voters. Lastly, Kemari district ranks seventh in population and rises to fourth in voters.
This significant disparity has raised speculation about potential surprises in the final seat allocation for the National and Provincial Assemblies based on the new constituencies. Senior journalist Salahuddin Ali suggests that the substantial difference between population and voters indicates either low voter registration in certain districts or the likelihood that residents have registered their votes outside Karachi. He emphasizes the need for the Election Commission to address this issue.
Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh, Ijaz Anwar Chauhan, highlights that there may be new entries, exclusions, changes, and corrections in the voter list until October 25. Forms 21, 22, and 23 are available at district offices and the Election Commission’s website for various purposes. The Election Commission is expected to investigate the reasons behind the observed disparities and ensure the accuracy of the voter registration process.
