Dera Ismail Khan’s voter registration rate stands at 49% of its estimated 2025 population — five percentage points below the national ratio of 54%.
Methodology
These figures are drawn from district-wise electoral roll statistics released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on 30 December 2025. They are cross-referenced against population estimates derived from the 2023 Digital Census. The 2025 population estimate applies the 1.3% inter-censal annual growth rate to Dera Ismail Khan’s census base population of 1,829,811, yielding an estimated 2025 population of 1,877,696. Registration rates are calculated by dividing the number of registered voters by this estimated population.
Voter registration in Dera Ismail Khan
The district has 919,844 registered voters — 496,232 males (53.9%) and 423,612 females (46.1%). Among males, 50% of the estimated population is registered; among females, 47%. Dera Ismail Khan ranks 52nd out of 136 districts nationally by population size and is represented by two full and one shared National Assembly constituencies.
By voter registration rate, Dera Ismail Khan ranks 89th nationally and 30th of 35 within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Why registration trails the national ratio
Dera Ismail Khan’s below-average registration rate reflects the census enumeration dynamic seen in districts that receive population from surrounding areas. In-migrants enumerated in Dera Ismail Khan at census time often retain voter registration in their origin locality.
In some Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts, security-related or economic displacement compounds this effect: populations counted at a temporary location may remain registered at their district of origin.
Female voters constitute 46.1% of the registered electorate, reflecting a moderate gender gap of 7.9%. Targeted registration outreach for women in Dera Ismail Khan should remain a priority before the next general elections.
This post is part of FAFEN’s series on voter vs population ratio. Read more of this series here.
