Breaking Barriers: Women's Political Participation in Pakistan's 2018 Elections

Abstract

This paper attempts to examine the 2018 Pakistani general elections using a case study methodology, with an emphasis on the political environment, electoral procedures, and significant results. Voter behavior, electoral reforms, the impact of state institutions, and the involvement of major political parties are all examined in this study. The emergence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the changing circumstances that contributed to its triumph are specifically discussed. The study investigates claims of pre-poll manipulation, the function of the military and judiciary, and the effect of social media on voter mobilization using official election statistics, media accounts, and expert interviews. The results show that public opinion, institutional influence, and political strategy interacted in a complicated way to impact the election. In addition to highlighting the need for increased electoral openness and institutional neutrality in the next elections, this case study sheds light on Pakistan's democratic process's advantages and disadvantages.