Chagai’s voter registration rate stands at 45% of its estimated 2025 population — nine 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 2.93% inter-censal annual growth rate to Chagai’s census base population of 269,192, yielding an estimated 2025 population of 285,198. Registration rates are calculated by dividing the number of registered voters by this estimated population.

Voter registration in Chagai

The district has 129,619 registered voters — 74,020 males (57.1%) and 55,599 females (42.9%). Among males, 50% of the estimated population is registered; among females, 41%. Chagai ranks 120th out of 136 districts nationally by population size and is constituting one-quarter of a National Assembly constituency shared across four districts.

By voter registration rate, Chagai ranks 100th nationally and 8th of 34 within Balochistan.

Why registration trails the national ratio

An significant gender gap is the primary driver of Chagai’s below-average registration rate. Female voters account for 42.9% of the registered electorate — 18,421 fewer than male voters. Women’s registration stands at 41% of the estimated female population, against a male rate of 50%.

Unlike the census enumeration effect that explains the below-average ratio in major cities, Chagai’s gap reflects genuine non-registration. Women counted in the 2023 census as residents of Chagai are not correspondingly represented on the electoral roll.

Restricted mobility, lower female CNIC penetration, and social constraints on civic participation are the principal structural barriers. Mobile NADRA units and sustained ECP outreach through community networks in Chagai are essential to reduce this gap before the next general elections.

This post is part of FAFEN’s series on voter vs population ratio. Read more of this series here.