Electioneering concludes with a whimper in twin cities

–PTI, PPP take lead in campaigning as PML-N takes a slightly back seat

ISLAMABAD: With the election campaigns in the federal capital officially ending late last night, the conclusion sounded more of a whimper than a bang as all three major political parties failed to replicate the zeal of electioneering of previous years.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) clearly led the most vibrant election campaign in all three constituencies of the capital namely NA-52, NA-53 and NA-54 from where Raja Khurram, PTI chief Imran Khan and Asad Umer are contesting, respectively. With motivated and politically charged youngsters by its side, PTI has managed to arrange corner meetings, large public gatherings of Imran Khan in Bara Kahu, Sitara Market G7 and door-to-door campaigning by electoral candidates.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) that hardly had a presence in the past two elections has made a resounding comeback with its candidates from NA-52 Afzal Khokar, from NA-53 Syed Sibtul Haider Bukhari and from NA-54 Raja Imran Ashraf. All three candidates have gone the extra mile and canvassed in the width and breadth of their constituencies. Their corner offices, banners, panaflexes can be seen all over the capital in a campaign only second to PTI as compared to its scope and outreach.

The electoral campaign of PML-N, on the other hand, was lackluster due to dilemmas faced by the top leadership and their eventual incarceration in the Adiala Jail. PML-N candidates from NA-52, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, from NA-53, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and from NA-54, Anjum Aqeel Khan, have done their level best to campaign despite the mounting odds where appeals against their candidature were decided by tribunals and high court.

It is pertinent to mention here that the three constituencies NA-52, NA-53 and NA-54 are home to 700,744, 670,683 and 630,152 people respectively, according to ECP data.

The electioneering and campaigns in rural and urban areas are lukewarm at best with both candidates and voters yet to go all out. It may be noted that the new constituency is carved out of what was previously NA-49 along with some parts of NA-48 that is Islamabad’s other National Assembly constituency. The new constituencies of NA-52 and 53 constitute what was previously NA-49.

Although running an election campaign involves huge costs that include maintaining of the election offices and daily expenses of running them. Also, the cost of printing and posting of the banners, flexes, posters and pamphlets alone run in millions of rupees besides vehicles for rallies, cavalcades moving around voters on the election day, and holding corner meetings, rallies and gatherings.

The political campaigns and canvassing have, in total, failed to reach heights in the federal capital as the candidates of the major political parties and their leaders have failed to up the ante.

In the capital, the streets and roads are inundated with colourful panaflexes, banners and large billboards. Also, of late, corner offices of both the party and the independent candidates have also started to appear in every nook and corner.

It is pertinent to mention here that ECP, in its code of conduct, had directed the political parties to end their campaign till July 23, no candidate will be allowed to hold corner meetings or give advertisements in print and electronic media after 12 am and ECP will take a legal action against violators.

The caretaker set up also barred district councilors, municipal committee members and UC chairmen from taking part in any political activity or the electioneering.