PTI proves its worth
In Islamabad the PTI was able to put up its best performance so far. The party gave tough competition to the PML-N which could win the contest only by the skin of its teeth. After being routed in the first and second phases of LG elections in Punjab and Sindh, the Islamabad polls would act as a shot of adrenaline for the PTI. The victory in seventeen Union Councils, located within the remit of NA-48, comprising of mostly middle class voters who are Imran Khan’s forte, was predictable. What came as a surprise was the inroads it made in the five rural UCs considered by the PML-N as its domain. Whether the victory was due to the rebellion by the PML-N workers who were annoyed with their leadership over the issue of the distribution of party tickets or it was an indication of the PTI’s influence penetrating into rural areas, will continue to be debated. That three potential candidates of the PML-N for the post of Mayor were defeated was a definite setback for the ruling party.
Former Senator Zafar Ali Shah was one of these. While accepting the defeat he castigated the ECP and complained about rigging. The performance of the Election Commission has been generally marked by ineffectualness to enforce the code of conduct during the by-elections and LG polls. At several places, candidates have spent many times more than the upper limit allowed under the law. A candidate was shown on TV delivering free sugar bags in a constituency. Another served boiled eggs and tea to voters. In a Karachi constituency, extremist symbols were displayed on posters to lure the voters. The EC, however, failed to take any action.
Keeping in view the tendency among the independent candidates to support the party in power, there is little chance of the PTI winning the Mayorship in Islamabad. The election results should, however, provide confidence to Imran Khan that by improving party’s performance, instead of taking recourse to agitation, he can turn the tables in the 2018 polls.
