Democracy on Trial: A Study of the 2024 Elections in Pakistan

Team Details:

MOHAMMAD WASEEM
Professor Emeritus
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore (PI)
 
ASMA FAIZ
Associate Professor
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore (Co PI)
 
MUHAMMAD FAISAL
Lead – Research Grant Administration,
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore (RA)
 

 Theme/Relevant Ministry:

INSTITUTIONS:
Election Commission of Pakistan

 

Project Brief:

This research project attempts to the analyze the February 2024 elections in Pakistan through the agency of various institutions at the heart of the electoral process. We plan to adopt a multidimensional approach to study the 2024 elections that will include development of a conceptual framework by covering the available scholarly and policy research, intensive fieldwork in federal and provincial capitals, and analysis of primary documents released by various institutions including the

Elections Commission and political parties. This project will capture the key issues reflected through the narrative produced by political parties. We will be tracking the input of key stakeholder into the exercise of mass polls. In addition, the project will seek to trace the broader contours of public debate

about the procedure as well as the outcome of elections in Pakistan.

 

Public Policy Relevance:

This research holds a great value for public policy at theoretical as well as practical levels. Elections and the wider mechanics of the political system are at the heart of state-society relations, economic decision-making, foreign-policy and the broader governance of the country. A comprehensive study of the electoral process of the 2024 elections will lead to greater insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the key electoral and political institutions of the country.  Furthermore, this project aims to locate suggestions on electoral reforms relating to the electoral system, i.e. First-Past-the-Post System (FPTP) versus Proportional Representation (PR), the constitutional provision for the caretaker government and the Court’s role in shaping elections both procedurally and substantively. We therefore, believe that this research project will contribute significantly to the public policy debate and research in the country with particular reference to electoral institutions and processes.

06-269
MOHAMMAD WASEEM
Professor Emeritus
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore (PI)
Rs. 2,500,000/-