The campaign for the upcoming by-elections, though highly lacklustre with political rivals never making a conscious effort to challenge each other, came to end in Lahore on Tuesday night without seemingly creating any impact on 16 National and 26 provincial assembly seats that are to be contested on August 22.
As the campaign drew to a close, the candidates in the field made last-ditch effort to appeal to their constituents without the backing of their top leadership which remained far-removed from the scene of action in most cases.
The chances of any surprises are minimum, with the political pundits saying elections are overwhelmingly tilting in favour of the ruling classes everywhere though some tight contests, mostly for the National Assembly seats, are again expected between the PTI and the PML-N.
Mostly the campaign by political parties was driven by the desire to maintain their hold over the constituencies they won in the May 11 general elections.
As such all the leaders involved in the campaign focused more on the constituencies where for them success was almost absolute or where they expected some face saving options. For example Imran Khan mainly appeared in the constituencies across the country where the PTI stands better chances to score a victory. Both the Sharif brothers remained away from the scene throughout the campaign making their scion, Hamza Shahbaz show his leadership qualities in the by-polls. However, the timing of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s first address to the nation proved to be a real bonus for the PML-N and its candidates.
Some analysts believe that the timing, a day before the campaign closure, was not a mere coincidence and so could yield political dividends for the ruling party already set to win the elections up to the extent of Punjab.
Lahore:
Political analysts say they have not seen any election taking place in the city despite a lot was at stake if one takes into account number of seats up for grabs in the historic city. Here one National assembly and three provincial assembly seats are being contested by main political parties. The Lahoriites have not seen top leaders nor there was much campaigning or activity associated with elections was witnessed. There was hardly any effort from PTI to challenge PML (N) in its heartland.
Imran Khan concluded the campaign on Tuesday with a flurry of activity limited only to NA-129 where he made three public appearances and addressed the public, leaving all provincial assembly constituencies uncovered giving almost a walk-over to the rival PML-N.
In NA-129, the PTI has a faint hope in the form of its candidate Mansha Sindhu, creating waves in the area but here too the PML-N is in a formidable position.
In Lahore, the elections will be held in NA-129, PP-142, PP-150 and Pp-160. These seats have been vacated by PML-N candidates. Hence, the PML-N candidates are feeling quite comfortable in the absence of a joint strategy by the opposition.
NA-129:
It is a two-way fight with the PTI making last ditch efforts to woo the constituents there. The seat has been vacated by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. This time the PML-N has awarded a ticket to Shazia Mubashir, wife of PML-N leader Mubashir Rana. PPP’s Muhammad Ashraf Bhatti is also in the field though lagging way behind.
Imran Khan on Tuesday held three rallies and took a round of the constituency to bolster support for PTI. However, the PMLN’s position further improved recently when Yousaf Ghurki, a local influential joined the PML-N and pledged his support to Rana campaigning for his wife.
PP-142:
Here Khwaja Salman Rafique, brother of Saad Rafique got the party’s nomination. He is being challenged by PTI’s Waqar Ahmad. The PPP has tried Muhammad Idrees.
PP-150:
Here PML-N’s Mian Margoob is considered favourite. He is fighting against PTI’s Mehr Wajid Azeem. It also seems to be a one-sided match with the PTI never tried to challenge the PML-N candidate. The PPP with Asif Nagra is only a distant possibility.
PP-160:
Chaudhry Gulzar Gujjar from the PML-N is leading the race against his main rival Chaudhry Khalid Gujjar (PTI). The PPP here awarded ticket to Rana Akhtar. This seat too has been vacated by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who contested from two provincial seats in May 11 elections. Here too PML-N smells victory.
The PTI is also all set to make public its white paper on rigging in the last elections. The PTI would substantiate its charges with proofs on rigging in the white paper. Sources say the party would gain limelight one more time before elections.
Similarly, in Punjab 15 provincial and seven National Assembly seats are up for grabs, most of which have been vacated by PML-N leaders. However, as far as the National Assembly is concerned, NA-48 and NA-71 are the seats vacated by the PTI. Interesting contests are expected on both these seats.
Political experts say the result of the by-elections is a foregone conclusion in favour of the PML-N being the ruling party with entire administrative machinery at its disposal. Again, the opposition hardly put together an effective strategy to challenge the ruling parties. There was a desire on the part of the TI to hold on to what-ever little gains they have made in the Punjab in the last general elections.