Elections
are a very important part of a democratic process, and interesting too. We Pakistanis
generally take a lot of interest in heated political debates. But it is very
important for us, especially the young, to understand the system and the
process, so that we can develop our opinions on the foundations of solid facts
and sound understanding. Otherwise false perceptions and lack of capacity to
analyze the facts and figures will not help us understanding the issues related
to elections. And we shall be easily carried away by crude propaganda. Briefly speaking read books and not just facebook. As a
step in this direction I have published maps of the constituencies of National
and Provincial Assemblies in this post. It will show the pattern of voting in
different areas and show the strongholds of different parties.
Last
general elections in Pakistan in 2013, were historical in the sense that the
turnout was very high, as 55.02% voters cast their votes. It was actually
highest in our recent history. Only in 1970
turnout surpassed it, when 63.1% participated in the polling. But that percentage
was for both the wings. I do not know what it was for the West Pakistan. I found
the following data on the website of tribune.com.pk,
regarding the turnout in the elections since 1988.
Year
|
Turnout (%)
|
1988
|
43.07
|
1990
|
45.46
|
1993
|
40.28
|
1997
|
35.42
|
2002
|
41.08
|
2008
|
44.23
|
2013
|
55.02
|
On the same website a long list of 111 parties and the
votes obtained by them is given. But I selected only top 28 parties that won at
least one seat. So it goes as under:
Name of Political Parties
|
No. of Seats
|
Total Votes
|
%
|
Pakistan
Muslim League (N)
|
125
|
14,794,188
|
32.98
|
Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf
|
27
|
7,563,504
|
16.86
|
Pakistan
Peoples Party Parliamentarians
|
31
|
6,822,958
|
15.21
|
Independent
|
32
|
5,773,494
|
12.87
|
Muttahidda
Qaumi Movement
|
18
|
2,422,656
|
5.40
|
Jamiat
Ulama-e-Islam (F)
|
10
|
1,454,907
|
3.24
|
Pakistan
Muslim League
|
2
|
1,405,493
|
3.13
|
Pakistan
Muslim League (F)
|
5
|
1,007,761
|
2.25
|
Jamaat-e-Islami
Pakistan
|
3
|
949,394
|
2.12
|
Awami
National Party
|
1
|
450,561
|
1.00
|
MUTAHIDA
DEENI MAHAZ
|
359,589
|
0.80
|
|
Pukhtoonkhwa
Milli Awami Party
|
3
|
211,989
|
0.47
|
National
Peoples Party
|
2
|
196,828
|
0.44
|
Pakistan
Muslim League(Z)
|
1
|
126,504
|
0.28
|
Bahawalpur
National Awami Party
|
113,156
|
0.25
|
|
Jamiat
Ulama-e-Islam Nazryati Pakistan
|
102,417
|
0.23
|
|
Awami
Muslim League Pakistan
|
1
|
93,051
|
0.21
|
Sindh
United Party
|
82,728
|
0.18
|
|
Tehreek-e-Tahaffuze
Pakistan
|
73,503
|
0.16
|
|
Awami
Jamhuri Ittehad Pakistan
|
1
|
71,175
|
0.16
|
Pakistan
Muslim League (J)
|
70,247
|
0.16
|
|
Jamiat
Ulma-e-Pakistan (Noorani)
|
68,150
|
0.15
|
|
Balochistan
National Party
|
1
|
64,070
|
0.14
|
National
Party
|
1
|
61,171
|
0.14
|
All
Pakistan Muslim League
|
1
|
54,617
|
0.12
|
Pakistan
National Muslim League
|
51,995
|
0.12
|
|
Pakistan
Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto)
|
49,926
|
0.11
|
|
Qaumi
Watan Party (Sherpao)
|
1
|
46,829
|
0.10
|
All Others
|
278,540
|
||
Total
|
266
|
44,859,313
|
These are statistics of 266 constituencies, while the
total number of National Assembly is 272. Elections were not held or results were withheld
due to some reasons. Following is the map of the constituency of the National Assembly. I made this map taking help from a map given on the website of of the Election Commission of Pakistan in pdf format. However, it is not 100% clear and especially in the urban areas it is difficult to ascertain accurate boundaries of constituencies. I faced problems particularly in the cities of Gujranwala and Multan.
Map showing the party positions in the elections for the National Assembly in 2013.
(Click the map for the larger image.)
Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan and its assembly with 297 directly elected members is the biggest elected house of Pakistan. The following map is also based on the map of ECP. But in this map too, I could not clearly find the boundaries of PP 77 (Jhang City) and PP 155 (Ichhra, Lahore).
Map showing the party positions in the elections for the Provincial Assembly of Punjab in 2013. (Click the map for the larger image.)
Below is the map of the constituencies of the Sindh Assembly, showing the results of the elections in 2013. I could not locate the PS 97.
Map showing the party positions in the elections for the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in 2013. (Click the map for the larger image.)
Following is the map of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, showing constituencies of the provincial assembly of this province. Fortunately boundaries of all the constituencies are clear in this map.
Map showing the party positions in the elections for the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2013. (Click the map for the larger image.)
According to area, Balochistan is Pakistan's biggest province. Following is the map of Balochistan, showing constituencies of the provincial assembly of this province.
Map showing the party positions in the elections for the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan in 2013. (Click the map for the larger image.)
So that is it. Five maps showing the results of elections in 2013. I am sure you will find them useful and interesting. I shall welcome any inaccuracy pointed out, or any suggestion to improve them.
Tariq Amir
29 September, 2014.
Doha - Qatar