Pakistani election body accused of redrawing voter map to aid ex-PM
The Guardian|November 30, 2023
The election commission of Pakistan is facing accusations of using a controversial exercise to redraw the voting map in order to favour the return of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to power amid allegations of pre-poll rigging.
Shah Meer
Pakistani election body accused of redrawing voter map to aid ex-PM

The process of amending constituency borders, known as delimitation, follows a recent census that was marred with controversies.

A record 1,300 objections have been raised across the country over the proposed changes to constituencies, including over the merging of the Balochistan districts of Harnai and Sibi into a single constituency, despite them being 250 miles apart with no road connections and stark climate and demographic differences.

The election date was delayed from November to February on the pretext of waiting for the census results, though political opponents have alleged the delay was to give time for Sharif, a three-time former prime minister, to return from exile in the UK and prepare to run again.

Sharif is said to be the favoured candidate of Pakistan's all-powerful military, which has long played kingmaker. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party has denied favourable treatment.

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