Nation goes to polls today

• 105, 955,407 registered voters to choose their representatives from a total of 12,570 candidates vying for national and provincial legislatures
• Various surveys show neck and neck competition between ‘blue-eyed’ Imran’s PTI and beleaguered PML-N
• ECP secretary hoping for ‘huge turnout’ amidst security fears

ISLAMABAD:  The judgement day has finally arrived as the nation on Wednesday is all set to take part in what is being dubbed by international and national media as the “dirtiest election” in Pakistan in the recent times.

Amid election-related violence that had killed at least 150 people, including three notable politicians, almost all major political players have repeatedly accused the powers-that-be of denying them a level playing field in favour of the ‘blue-eyed’ Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.

As the country goes to vote on Wednesday after a month of lacklustre electioneering, security and rigging remain the prime concerns among others. Though the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and caretakers failed to address concerns of “pre-poll rigging” in the run-up to elections, the former has, however, deployed at least 370,000 army personnel and 450,000 policemen countrywide to thwart any unfortunate incident.

In the four provinces and at the Centre, the fight will mainly be between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and PTI.

The PML-N is in a pickle as its supreme leader Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are languishing in Adiala Jail after an accountability court sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment on corruption charges. Besides, the party suffered from ‘desertions’ and disqualifications of its ‘electable’ candidates just days before the polls.

The PTI, on the other hand, looks confident as support from certain quarters and exhilarated with induction of ‘electables’ has enhanced its chances of winning the election.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has tried his best to win back disillusioned party supporters. PPP is confident to go to polls, with hopes of retaining Sindh and winning more seats countrywide.

Besides these three major parties, Awami National Party (ANP), Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) in Sindh, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) are the low-profile players in the electoral battle.

NO-POLLS AREAS:

Elections have been postponed in eight national and provincial assembly constituencies.

In one of the constituencies, a candidate had been disqualified while in the other seven, the contesting candidates have passed away.

PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi was handed a life sentence in the ephedrine quota case, rendering him unfit to contest the polls for NA-60, leading to the postponement.

The ECP also announced to defer polling in PK-78 Peshawar, PP-87 Mianwali, PS-87 Malir, PK-99 Dera Ismail Khan, PB-35 Mastung, PP-103 and NA-103 Faisalabad constituencies. DI Khan, Mastung and Peshawar polls were delayed after candidates were killed in suicide bombings.

SURVEYS PREDICT HUNG PARLIAMENT:

According to pre-poll surveys conducted by various agencies, it is safe to say that there is a neck and neck competition between PTI and PML-N, with a three per cent margin of error.

A survey by Pulse Consultants shows that PTI is ahead by 30 per cent, whereas PML-N is at 27 per cent. Similarly, Herald Magazine survey indicated PTI ahead by 29 per cent and PML-N at 25 per cent.

Similarly, these surveys reflect that PPP led by Bilawal Bhutto did not manage to secure as many seats as the other two mainstream parties, thus ranking mostly below them along with other political parties.

Pulse Consultant survey shows PPP at 17 per cent whereas the other political parties ahead by 26 per cent; whereas, the Herald Magazine survey shows the other parties ahead of PPP by 26 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively.

Having said that, Gallup Pakistan survey indicated a twist with their results as the other political parties top the survey with 33 per cent, PML-N with 26 per cent, PTI with 25 per cent and PPP at the bottom with 16 per cent.

A survey by Currency Market Associates (CMKA) shows similar results like Pulse and Herald’s where PTI is ahead by 017 seats as compared to PML-N with 79. Moreover, other political parties have secured 56 seats and PPP only managed with 30.

Topline and Credit Suisse also indicate PTI ahead with 85-95 seats and 92 seats, respectively; PML-N with 80-90 and 73 seats.

The other political parties are ahead with 47-72 and 73 seats as compared to PPP with 35-40 and 34 seats as per the Topline and Credit Suisse surveys, subsequently.

12,570 CANDIDATES IN THE RUN:

A total of 12,570 candidates will contest the election for National Assembly and provincial assembly seats. Of them, 3,975 contestants are vying for 272 general seats, whereas 8,895 are contesting for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies (PA). 70 seats reserved for women and minorities have brought the tally to 342 seats in the NA.

Out of the total 272 general seats to be filled through direct elections, 141 seats are from Punjab, 61 from Sindh, 39 seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 seats from Balochistan, three seats from federal capital Islamabad and 12 seats from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

There are a total of 371 Punjab Assembly seats out of which 297 are general seats to be filled through direct elections while 66 seats are reserved for women and 8 for minorities

In Sindh, out of a total of 168, 130 general seats are to be filled through direct elections while 29 seats are reserved for women and 9 for minorities.

The number of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly seats is 124 out of which 99 are general seats, 22 seats reserved for women and 3 for minorities.

The number of Balochistan Assembly seats is 65 out of which 51 general seats are to be filled through direct elections, 11 seats reserved for women and 3 for minorities.

Around 172 women have entered the race for National Assembly and 386 for provincial legislatures in the upcoming elections. A total of 157 non-Muslims are taking part in elections 2018 of which 44 will contest for NA seats and the remaining 113 for PA seats.

The largest numbers of contestants come from Punjab province where 1,696 contestants are vying for National Assembly seats while a total of 4,242 for the provincial legislature. Moreover, 73 women are in the run for NA and 174 for the PA of the largest province by population whereas 32 non-Muslims are also contesting for the Punjab assembly.

According to the latest demographics, there are 105, 955,407 registered voters, out of which 46,731,145 are female while 59,224,262 are male.

The polling in one of the most crucial elections of the country would start at 08:00 am and will continue till 06:00 pm without any break. This is for the first time in history that the polling time has been extended to 10 hours.

ECP is trying its best to ensure free, fair and unbiased elections, said Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza as he urged voters to “fulfil their duty towards the nation by casting their votes as it is their responsibly as a citizen on polling day”.

SECURITY THREATS:

ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob said that they were receiving threats and facing a challenge of maintaining law and order during July 25 polls in the country.

Speaking to reporters, Yaqoob said the voter turnout in 2018 election would be higher than the previous elections held in Pakistan.

“There still are challenges relating to maintenance of law and order; we are receiving different kinds of threats, but [we] want to see tomorrow’s election to be peaceful,” he said.