MQM-P demands upcoming elections on updated census

Islamabad: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders on Thursday held a meeting with election commission officials, pressing for the upcoming general elections in 2023 to be based on updated census data and delimitations.

The delegation, led by Dr. Farooq Sattar, met with representatives from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and emphasized the need to conduct the 2023 general polls using the most recent census data and revised delimitations.

During the meeting, MQM-P also expressed concerns about discrepancies in the electoral lists and census. They presented evidence of flaws in the electoral lists of Karachi to the ECP officials.

Dr. Farooq Sattar stressed that holding the next general elections based on the new census data is crucial, and he expressed confidence that any issues related to delimitations and voters' data could be resolved within 15 to 20 days.

“We have requested the Prime Minister to conduct the elections based on the new delimitations, and he has assured MQM-P of fulfilling this demand,” Dr. Farooq Sattar said.

The delegation raised serious reservations regarding the recent census statistics, claiming that Karachi's population was undercounted, resulting in approximately 30% of Karachi voters being placed in constituencies far from their current residences.

In response, the election commission assured MQM-P that it would address the concerns raised during the meeting. The ECP also pledged to transfer millions of Karachi voters to their designated constituencies.

MQM-P also submitted complaints against the provincial election commissioners to the ECP headquarters.