Political parties gear up for polls prematurely: FAFEN

The District Long-Term Observers (DLTOs) of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Thursday identified at least 38 districts with political developments related to the upcoming general elections, including districts where election campaigns started before the announcement of the election schedule.

According to a statement, most of these districts were in Punjab (18), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (13), FATA (4) and Balochistan (3). The DLTOs identified 23 significant political developments in Punjab, followed by 20 in KP, five in FATA and three in Balochistan. These developments included seat adjustments, new alliances, defections, rifts among and within political parties and public meetings.

The developments pertained to several political parties and independent candidates. Parties included Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Party (NP) and  Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

FAFEN DLTOs observed 51 activities that could be construed as early campaigning or political developments related to the upcoming general elections. Observers recorded one-fifth of these activities related to PPP in 10 districts, followed by PML-N with nine activities in nine districts, JUI-F with eight activities in seven districts and PTI and independent candidates each with five developments in as many districts.

At least six other political parties – PML, ANP, JI BNP, NP and MQM – were involved in observed early campaigning or significant political developments.

Furthermore, FAFEN observers recorded 11 activities related to PPP that could be construed as early campaigning or political developments related to General Election 2013. These activities took place in 10 districts of Punjab, KP, and Balochistan.

A total of nine election-related activities or developments of PML-N were recorded by FAFEN observers in as many districts in Punjab, KP and FATA.

JUI-F was involved in eight political developments in seven districts of KP and FATA. The party held multiple public meetings in Dera Ismail Khan to discuss arrangements for a conference. In Karak, the party arranged public meetings and initiated public contacts in Hangu. In Kohat and Lakki Marwat, prominent political figures announced joining JUI-F. In Bannu, a JUI-F stronghold, the party declared that Shah Mohammad will contest the provincial seat instead of Syed Hamid Shah.

In Toba Tek Singh, the PTI chief met representatives of a student group, and a public gathering was arranged in Karak. The party also reportedly intensified youth mobilisation in Mianwali. Following ECP orders for intra-party polls as a pre-requisite for contesting in elections, PTI conducted polls in Gujranwala and Tank.

In Kohistan, an important politician joined ANP along with his family members and supporters. In Nowshera, ANP party workers started submitting applications to get party tickets to contest in the elections.

In Kech, representatives of BNP and National Party met to discuss seat adjustment. In Panjgur, a National Party workers’ meeting was called to develop a strategy for the general elections.

In Kohistan, two well known political figures announced joining MQM. In Swat, Dost Muhammad and thousands of his supporters reportedly decided to switch from PML-N to JI. In Orakzai Agency, JI announced name of its candidate for the general election.