NA-235 may see low turnout of voters

NA-235 holds unique distinction of being second constituency with fewest number of voters

KARACHI:

NA-235, the premier seat of district east and the fifth-largest in Karachi by population, holds the unique distinction of being the second constituency with the fewest number of voters.

Despite encompassing a diverse landscape with goths, narrow streets, flats, and densely populated areas, NA-235 faces an intriguing challenge in terms of voter representation.

The boundaries of the constituency span Ayub Goth, New Quetta Cooperative Society, Jamali Goth, Gabol Goth, Al Asif Square, Jannat Gul Town, New Sabzi Mandi, Machar Colony, Gujru, Junejo Colony Gujru, Mubeenabad, Qayyumabad Gujru, Yusuf Goth, Gulshan Kaniz Fatima, Abbas Town, Rabia Flower, Abul Hasan Isfahani Road, Johar Complex, and other areas.

Read Female voter turnout

Although the population of NA-235 totals 1,024,024 people, registered voters are 170,176-comprising 97,741 men and 72,435 women. This accounts for only 16.61 per-cent of the population.

Experts attribute this low turnout to a significant number of residents lacking permanent addresses in Karachi.

The upcoming elections for NA-235 witness a competitive field of 24 candidates. Among them are Mohammad Asif Khan from PPP, Mohammad Iqbal Khan from MQM, Merajul Hadi JI, Sharafat Khan from PMLN, Mohammad Arif TLP, and Syed Ali Hussain Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

Notably, the constituency was won by PTI in the 2018 general elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2024.