Exploring the Socio-Cultural Challenges to Women Poll Workers in General Elections-2024 in Pakistan

Women poll workers play a vital role in conducting free and fair elections in Pakistan. The present study explored the social, cultural, and economic challenges women poll workers faced during the general elections of 2024 in Pakistan. Qualitative research with in-depth interviews of seven women poll workers was conducted in Malakand, Pakistan. The study explored that the mobility of women poll workers to polling stations was socially restricted, family elders restrict women's polling duties, and gender roles in the domestic sphere also constrain women poll workers from election duties. And family elders, including in-laws, discouraged women from performing election duties. Women poll workers staying tell evening in polling stations is also considered unethical it is required to compile election results. The study concluded that prior consent should be taken from women government employees, and logistic support should be provided to enhance the women poll workers' efficiency during their election duty.