The big day then arrived and the citizens of the twin cities welcomed it with warmth. The voters turnout was phenomenal as a large number of citizens including the youth and the oldies thronged the polling stations to have their say in the shaping the country’s future.
Despite the heat, there were long queues at all polling stations with people patiently waiting their turn, including the senior citizens because polling staff made no queue-bypassing arrangements for them.
Rawalpindi had NA-50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 as National Assembly constituencies and PP-1 to PP-14 for the provincial assembly.
As many as 18,278 polling staff members performed election duties and 5173 polling booths were established for the district’s 2,646,499 registered voters, of which 1,403,624 are male and 1,199,496 are female.
While the rest of the city appeared deserted as the restaurants and major public places had been closed, polling stations hosted huge crowds of people. Polling started on Saturday morning in 2,149 polling stations in the district at 8 am and accelerated post 2 pm when many young people were seen roaming near the polling stations in vehicles and motorcycles decorated with colourful party flags and posters.
A MINOR DELAY AT 1-9/4:
However, for the voters in sector I-9/4 in Islamabad the voting process was delayed due to the polling staff’s inefficiency.
Phul Garan, Barakahu polling station Presiding Officer Abdul Hafeez Afridi said that 1600 votes had been cast smoothly. Presiding officers at stations in Saddar, Tench Bhatta and Peoples Colony also reported peaceful conditions, saying that there were no problems as the police personnel performing their duties responsibly.
The presiding officers of various polling stations added that photographed voter lists and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s Short Message Service (SMS) made voting easier for the polling staff and voters alike.
YOUTH AWAKENS:
For the first time, Islamabad’s young elite was seen waiting in line to cast their votes for Javed Hashmi of the PTI. A Quaid e Azam University student Ali Asghar said, “I am voting for the PTI because I think they can pull Pakistan out of the turmoil it faces. People are dying of hunger and we all need change.” Asghar told that he was voting for the first time.
On the other hand, PML-N’s support was also tangible. Islamabad resident Muhammad Rafiq told that he voted for PML-N candidate Anjum Aqeel because he loves his leader Nawaz Sharif who made Pakistan a nuclear power and gave the country an impressive motorway network.
A student Arif said that approximately 48.45 percent voters in this year are less than 35 years old, adding that it is imperative for the youth to vote. He claimed that only the younger generation could change the nation’s destiny and that now they have realized their vote’s importance.
Particular in NA-48, the youth participated eagerly. A majority of them supported the Pakistan Tekrik e Insaf (PTI), flaunting the party’s flags and posters all over the city.
THE POLITICALLY-DETACHED COME OUT TO VOTE:
Serving and retired army men with their families were prominent at the polling stations across the city. The polling station near the Army House was immensely crowded, with most army men terming their participation “a vote for a developed Pakistan.”
“I am voting for the first time in my life. The time for political detachment is over” said Brig (retd) Khalid Khurshid. He said that he had also urged his family to vote.
At the Army Public School polling station, Major Atif Akbar’s wife Wajiha expressed enthusiasm about voting for the first time in her life, “I have left my children aged three and one-and-a-half years at home to fulfill my national obligation,” she said.
Earlier, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani also visited the polling station at Government Girls High School Gulistan Colony to vote.
THE WOMEN DID NOT WANT TO LAG BEHIND:
According to the presiding officer of polling station number 144, this election witnessed unusually high participation by women, especially young girls.
According to unofficial estimates, 60 to 70 percent of registered voters participated in the elections.
According to Nilore polling station Presiding Officer Aslam Khan more than 60 percent of registered votes were cast. “900 out of 1100 votes were cast by women at this polling station,” he added.
“They are eager to change the country’s destiny by the power of their vote”, he added.
Women were facilitated in casting their votes beyond 5 pm as well to encourage female political participation.
The elections also encouraged the spirit of volunteerism amongst the youth. Volunteers representing different political parties were present at all stations. A volunteer group said “we are playing our role in directing the nation’s future as polls are a turning point for any democracy.
The presiding officers and other citizens appreciated the volunteers’ efforts. Citizen Tahir Ali said that young volunteers campaigned actively to help people realize their vote’s power.