Shangla’s voter registration rate stands at 52% of its estimated 2025 population — two 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 2.71% inter-censal annual growth rate to Shangla’s census base population of 891,252, yielding an estimated 2025 population of 940,212. Registration rates are calculated by dividing the number of registered voters by this estimated population.

Voter registration in Shangla

The district has 487,839 registered voters — 257,921 males (52.9%) and 229,918 females (47.1%). Among males, 53% of the estimated population is registered; among females, 51%. Shangla ranks 87th out of 136 districts nationally by population size and is represented by one Member of the National Assembly.

By voter registration rate, Shangla ranks 71st nationally and 26th of 35 within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Why registration trails the national ratio

Shangla’s below-average registration rate reflects the census enumeration dynamic seen in districts that receive population from surrounding areas. In-migrants enumerated in Shangla at census time often retain voter registration in their origin locality.

In some Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts, security-related or economic displacement compounds this effect: populations counted at a temporary location may remain registered at their district of origin.

Female voters constitute 47.1% of the registered electorate, reflecting a moderate gender gap of 5.7%. Targeted registration outreach for women in Shangla should remain a priority before the next general elections.

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