ISLAMABAD: Thar women have achieved a milestone in the country’s electoral history in the general election of 2018, recording the highest turnout of almost over 70 per cent in two constituencies.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), two constituencies NA-221 and NA-222 were the most visited by electors despite being an underprivileged area with a rough terrain.
Lack of paved roads, transportation and communication facilities in many areas of the desert region, as well as the extremely hot July weather, could not deter peoples’ resolve to contribute to the national democratic process.
In NA-221 Tharparkar-I, the turnout ratio was 68.6 per cent with 72.83 per cent of the female voters and 65.39 per cent of male voters showing up to vote. A total of 166,527 votes were cast here of which 9,341 were rejected.
The ratio of women who came out to vote in NA-221 is the highest anywhere in Pakistan.
In NA-222 Tharparkar-II, the total turnout ratio was 70.91 per cent with 71.40 per cent being female voters and 70.51 per cent of male voters. Here, a total of 235,340 votes were cast out of which 12,763 votes were rejected on various accounts.
The rain-dependent region of Thar has a population of 1.6 million of whom 574,333 are registered voters. These include 254,522 women voters.
