Pakistan General Elections 2018

Like every democracy in the world, Pakistan too holds its General Elections after a span of every five years. The people of Pakistan use their basic right to vote in order to elect members that are supposed to represent them in the Parliament.

The basic structure of Pakistan’s democracy consists of an upper and lower house of Parliament also known commonly as the Senate and the National Assembly. Following the elections, as part of the normal procedure, a Prime Minister is elected by the National Assembly members, whereas the electoral members, from both Parliament Houses as well as four Provincial Assemblies elect the President.

The basic body responsible for conducting the elections is the Election Commission of Pakistan most commonly known as the ECP. The ECP not only conducts the General Elections under its supervision but is also responsible for holding Presidential as well as the local body elections. The National Assembly of Pakistan consists of 342 seats out of which the fate of 272 seats is decided in the General Elections. Historically, the Pakistan People’s Party or the PPP, has won the general elections the most number of times, forming the Federal Government on five separate occasions. Their political rivals, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz or the PML-N comes second forming the Federal Government three times.

This year, the General Elections will be held on 25th July 2018. Most recently, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz headed by the Sharif brothers, completed its five-year tenure before handing over power to the caretaker government on 1st June 2018. The Pakistanis are eagerly awaiting the day of the elections so they can exercise their right to vote once again. The upcoming Elections that promises to be as close as ever, will have approximately 105.96 million people vote for their favorite candidates. The results of the General Elections 2018 will be announced soon after the act of counting the votes has been completed.