Pakistan Election Commission launches women voter drive as electoral rolls fall by 589,000

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has begun a targeted registration campaign in Lower Dir district from 4 to 27 August 2026, aiming to increase women’s enrollment on the electoral roll. Teams will visit seven locations, including Satandar, Katiari and Mayar Jandol, to help women obtain Computerised National Identity Cards and register to vote. The effort follows a meeting chaired by District Election Commissioner Jamshed Khan and includes civil‑society groups. Activist Shad Begum highlighted long‑standing social barriers that have kept female registration rates low in the area.

At the national level, the ECP reported that the total number of registered voters fell by 589,458 between 7 May and 2 July 2026 after removing about 1.48 million deceased individuals from the database. Although 895,000 new voters were added, the deletions produced a net decline and narrowed the gender gap by roughly 31,000. Punjab accounted for most of the loss, with Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala among the districts with the largest drops.