Major parties retain vote share

Major political parties largely retained their vote shares in both national and provincial assemblies during the General Elections 2024 (GE-2024), according to a report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

In its report, 'GE-2024 National and Provincial Elections: Votes Polled and Party Shares in Votes and Seats', FAFEN analysed the popular vote shares of key political parties and their corresponding seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

During GE-2024, PTI, PML-N, and PPP collectively secured 68 per cent of the vote share for the National Assembly and 62 per cent for the four Provincial Assemblies. By comparison, these parties had received 69 per cent and 61 per cent vote shares, respectively, in GE-2018, and 65 per cent and 58 per cent in GE-2013.

The report highlights that the number of votes polled for National Assembly constituencies was marginally higher than those polled for provincial assemblies.

A partial reason for the difference was the postponement of elections in one national (NA-8 Bajaur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and three provincial constituencies (PK-22 Bajaur-IV and PK-91 Kohat-II in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PP-266 Rahimyar Khan-XII in Punjab). FAFEN's analysis reveals that none of the leading parties secured an absolute majority in their respective strongholds, even where they have formed governments following the general elections.

In K-P, PTI garnered 45 per cent of the vote in National Assembly contests, with the remaining 55 per cent split among other parties.

JUI-P received 16 per cent, PML-N secured 10 per cent, ANP and independents each secured seven per cent, and other parties collectively accounted for 15 per cent.

A closely contested race unfolded between PTI and PML-N in ICT and Punjab. In ICT, PTI secured 33 per cent of the vote, narrowly surpassing PML-N's 31 per cent, while independents captured 20 per cent.

The TLP received five per cent, PPPP four per cent, and other parties collectively accounted for seven per cent. In Punjab, PTI led with 35 per cent of the National Assembly vote, narrowly edging out PML-N, which garnered 34 per cent.

TLP followed with seven per cent, PPPP with six per cent, independents with 14 per cent, and other parties with five per cent.

In Sindh, PPP secured 46 per cent of the national vote, followed by the GDA with 12 per cent, PTI and independents each garnered nine per cent, MQM-P secured eight per cent, and other smaller parties collectively accounted for 16 per cent.

Balochistan exhibited the most fragmented voting pattern, with regional parties and independents securing 35 per cent and 16 per cent of the national vote respectively.