Dr Yasmin Rashid, PTI’s candidate NA-120
If people put me in power, I will strive to get clean drinking water, hospitals and schools for the people of NA-120.
PML-N is trying to buy votes in the constituency. Maryam shouldn’t be worried, people of NA-120 will vote for PTI.
I am not fighting against one candidate but against the whole Punjab government and ‘watchman’ prime minister. Due to election, PML-N has started doing development work in NA-120, announcing 6,000 jobs is pre-poll rigging. I challenge Maryam Nawaz for an open debate, and I will reveal in the debate why her father was disqualified.
Nawaz Sharif was befuddled about the choice of candidate. Maryam says she will go to every street to ask for votes, but we have already asked everyone for their vote.
Maryam should stop fooling people. Got to the streets without protocol, then you will find the issues faced by the people.
Pre-poll rigging was in full swing in the constituency. Around 30,000 voters remained unverified and the party had approached the ECP in this regard, but no action has been taken.
Nawaz Sharif didn’t do anything for the people of NA-120 in the three times he was elected. In 30 years Nawaz Sharif didn’t make a single hospital, he was busy filling his own pockets.
Faisal Mir, PPP’s candidate from NA-120
The by-poll result today will prove that PPP is still the party with strong roots in masses and the only representative of the pro-liberal forces.
NA-120 is no more a piece of cake for the PML-N, under a level playing field, it could have never won from here, still all state resources are being used in its favour but the PPP will prove its ballot strength.
We are contesting against the PML-N which has sought aid from Osama bin Laden to topple the democratic government of Benazir Bhutto, we are combating the pro-Taliban forces in form of PTI whose chairman campaigned for opening their offices in Pakistan, we are running against a Jamaatud Dawa candidate, a banned outfit, name one party except PPP which represents the progressive segment of society.
We didn’t contest the 2013 general elections, we only participated in it, now we are contesting, in 2013, dynamics were different. Back then we were direct targets of extremist forces, under pressure, even our election offices were not opened, nor could we address public meetings. But now PPP is making a comeback.
My priority would be to raise education standards. Besides, sewage system of the constituency needs immediate attention. After winning the polls, I would play my role in addressing these problems on priority.
Mubasher Bukhari, senior investigative journalist and political analyst
Panama case has unnerved PML-N and its leaders. That’s why Maryam is in the constituency day and night. Otherwise, Nawaz Sharif never did any campaign in this area in previous elections. The contest will be a tough for the league though it has upper hand because of various factors.
There is no trend of holding election debates among the candidates. Had they been held during the election, PML-N candidate Ms Nawaz would have been outsmarted by Dr Rashid and Mr Mir. Even Ms Sadfar has yet to undergo press scrutiny. Election debates should be made part of the electioneering. They help the voters to think rationally instead of following emotions.
Ahsan Raza, journalist and media critic
The bye-election for NA-120 an interesting case study for political and scientists from day one. The election can be studied on the basis of money factor, religion as the decisive force and voters’ behvaiour. The three important factors have not been covered by any media.
Consider the money factor. Money is being spent lavishly by all major candidates, such as Kulsoom Nawaz, Dr Yasmeen Rashid and Faisal Mir. They are opening election offices on every street; they have covered every inch of the constituency with election posters. The function of an election office requires lots of money. And no election office operates for free. Similarly, election rallies require loads of money to go on. The three major candidates, it seem, have no dearth of money supply. Unfortunately, no media house and no NGO tried to track the money. At the end of the day, money will speak loud in results.
Similarly, all major candidates have tried to woo voters using clerics and religion.
Ascertaining voters’ behaviour through scientific survey has not been carried out in the constituency. It is less likely there is any swing voter in the area. The voting trends need to be evaluated. The polling day will determine if the voters are coming out to stations or not. And which candidate will benefit from high turn out?
