Dera Bugti’s voter registration rate stands at 40% of its estimated 2025 population — 14 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 2.13% inter-censal annual growth rate to Dera Bugti’s census base population of 355,274, yielding an estimated 2025 population of 370,570. Registration rates are calculated by dividing the number of registered voters by this estimated population.

Voter registration in Dera Bugti

The district has 149,138 registered voters — 82,922 males (55.6%) and 66,216 females (44.4%). Among males, 41% of the estimated population is registered; among females, 40%. Dera Bugti ranks 112th out of 136 districts nationally by population size and is constituting one-fifth of a National Assembly constituency shared across five districts.

By voter registration rate, Dera Bugti ranks 114th nationally and 17th of 34 within Balochistan.

Why registration trails the national ratio

An significant gender gap is the primary driver of Dera Bugti’s below-average registration rate. Female voters account for 44.4% of the registered electorate — 16,706 fewer than male voters. Women’s registration stands at 40% of the estimated female population, against a male rate of 41%.

Unlike the census enumeration effect that explains the below-average ratio in major cities, Dera Bugti’s gap reflects genuine non-registration. Women counted in the 2023 census as residents of Dera Bugti 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 Dera Bugti 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.