IMPACT OF ELECTORAL LAWS IN REDUCING GENDER GAP IN THE VOTERS’ LISTS

Abstract

This topic is an effort to assess political emancipation of women in Pakistan in different socio-cultural aspects. It has been strived to find out whether the electoral legal framework of the country accelerates or impedes the political empowerment of women. Moreover, this study might be helpful to find out whether women are registered as voters at par to men or otherwise. Hence, registration figures of all districts by the time of promulgation of The Elections Act, 2017 and at the eve of general elections-2018 have been. Researchers have followed the mixed-method research strategy and descriptive research design for the current research. The Elections Act, 2017 and secondary data, primarily published by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), has been used in this study. This research highlights that more efforts are required from ECP, NADRA and the development sector to enhance female registration. FATA still has to travel a long journey for political empowerment of women. The most backward districts like Kohlu, Dera Bugti, North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Mohmand Agency have a disparity of male and female registration up to 30% and substantial efforts are required to reduce such disparity. Keywords: Pakistan, Voting Lists, Election, Electoral Laws, Gender Gap.