Parties are gearing up for a tough one
The election fever currently gripping Lahore and Okara is soon going to spread over the entire Punjab and Sindh where Local Government elections are going to be held, phase wise, in less than five weeks.
A tough battle is being fought in Lahore and Okara. The results of the bye-elections in NA-122 and NA-144 would be widely seen as a barometer of public opinion. Both the seats were originally won by the ruling PML-N which considers Punjab its stronghold. The challenge posed by the PTI is however formidable. While the PML-N is seeking votes on the basis of the development work it has undertaken in the city, many think the ruling party has failed to address more urgent issues faced by the common man. The outcome of the polls would be a judgment on the two and a half year performance of the government.
The Election Commission has done its bit to conduct a free, fair and transparent exercise. The Prime Ministers’ package for farmers has been suspended for being in violation of the rules. Army and Rangers are to be deputed at polling stations to ensure that there is no rigging. The code of conduct has been given the status of a legal order and its violation will be punishable under law. The PPP candidate in NA 122 has challenged the spending by the PML-N and PTI candidates in the EC as being lavish. In democracies Elections Commissions often set up independent mechanisms to collect evidence regarding the expenses incurred by rival parties. One is not sure how long it will take the ECP to make similar arrangements.
The good thing about the tough competition is that it has forced an unresponsive government to advise its MPs to make house to house visits to seek votes. This would provide the government a rare opportunity to find how the common people look at its policies. It would also hopefully encourage it to make the desired policy changes during the remainder of its tenure.
