ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering a major electoral reform that could reshape the country’s general election process, as policymakers explore holding future polls based on electoral rolls instead of population census data.
Although the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment has been temporarily sidelined, fresh discussions are underway to introduce a new voting framework centered on voter registration lists. Former Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Kanwar Dilshad confirmed that this idea is being seriously reviewed and may become a crucial element of the constitutional amendment.
He explained that elections are already conducted using polling schemes derived from electoral rolls, making it logical to extend the same principle to overall election planning. According to him, this shift could reduce political interference and strengthen transparency in the electoral system.
Traditionally, Pakistan has relied on population census results to determine constituency boundaries and seat distribution. However, census figures have often been disputed, including the recent digital census, which sparked political controversy. Analysts believe that conducting elections based on electoral rolls could help resolve long-standing disagreements over population data.
Political experts warn that such a change could significantly alter the number of seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, affecting political balance across regions. A senior politician, speaking on condition of anonymity, said reaching consensus on such a reform would be challenging, as political parties are unlikely to support changes that impact their constituencies.
Meanwhile, a report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) reveals that Pakistan now has over 128.5 million registered voters, ranking it as the fifth-largest democracy in the world. The unprecedented rise in voter registration, particularly among women, has strengthened the case for adopting electoral rolls as the primary election framework.
Despite growing debate, constitutional experts note that Article 51(5) of Pakistan’s Constitution mandates population census as the basis for seat allocation, meaning any reform would require significant legal and political consensus.
