LAHORE: Voters in most constituencies came out in droves, expressing their liking for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed candidates, who in complete contrast to their voters, kept a “low profile” – saving on publicity material and failing to find active polling agents at all polling stations.

Many voters said they had come out to vote on the call of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan and were finding party-backed candidates on their own.

The much-awaited general elections saw smooth voting and the trend in most polling stations in NA-124, NA-125 and NA-126 represented more than 50 per cent turnout and in some case touching and crossing 60pc.

While voters as well as parties’ polling agents felt facilitated, the police managed the entire activity very well. They ensured that voters entering polling station vicinity should be carrying original CNICs but no cell phones as per the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

A visit to the NA-126 constituency, contested mainly by PML-N’s Saiful Malook Khokhar and PTI-backed Malik Tauqeer Abbas Khokhar (son of former MNA Malik Karamat Khokhar), saw smooth polling. The constituency was painted red with PML-N candidate’s banners and hoardings but there were almost no banners and hoardings guiding voters about the national assembly and provincial assembly candidates.

At several polling stations, PTI established camps hours late after the polling began. The party workers, however, alleged that their camps were not allowed until the candidate himself came and got the camp made functional. Tauqeer Khokhar at a polling station in Johar Town claimed that his banners and hoardings were removed by his opponents.

The NA-125 constituency, having a vast rural area, contested by PML-N’s Malik Afzal Khokhar and PTI-backed Rana Javed Umer, witnessed smooth polling. In rural areas, voters including women had reached polling stations early in the day and polled their votes.

In this constituency, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was contesting from PP-164 against Yousaf Meo that kept voters on their toes to exercise their right to franchise.

The NA-124 seat was contested by PML-N’s Rana Mubashir and PTI-backed Zameer Jhaidu. Here former premier Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz were contesting on PP-158 and PP-159 seats against Yousaf Ali and Mehr Sharafat Ali, respectively.

Saiful Malook and Afzal Khokhar had done extensive campaigns in their constituencies and had reached out to voters and delivered voting details’ slips to them at their doorsteps.

However, the PTI-backed candidates remained either intimidated or complacent resulting in no pre-election campaigns and less efforts on the polling day.

“The party-backed candidates invested little funds and almost no canvassing campaigns knowing that the voters will come out on the call of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan,” a PTI worker told Dawn.

First-time voter Aimen told this reporter that it turned out to be a wonderful experience of using the right to franchise as there was no disturbance within the polling station in stark contrast to the “biased political culture” in the field.

“We used our constitutional right to vote in a congenial environment and our decision to reach the polling station early helped,” she added.

However, the PTI from its official X handle claimed that authentic sources in the government revealed that the Punjab IG has directed the police to “oust the returning officers from their offices” and manage results.

The PTI has re-asserted that Imran Khan had directed all candidates and polling agents to stay at ROs’ offices until the results were provided officially. The PTI also asked Insafians to reach their respective constituencies’ RO offices and stay there until official results are given.

PP-159 candidate Mehr Sharafat Ali contesting against Maryam Nawaz, meanwhile, tweeted at around 7pm that the police were torturing his party workers. “Police are torturing our workers,” Mr Ali alleged.

PTI-backed NA-128 candidate Salman Akram Raja has reported that he was evicted from the RO’s office following a ‘suspicious incident.’

Mr Raja tweeted that the PTI (he) was leading at every polling station of NA-128 Lahore. He stated that a ‘suspicious incident’ happened [at the RO’s office] and he was sent out of the office. “The process of compilation of results cannot proceed in my absence. I must be allowed back in,” Mr Raja demanded.

Thanking the voters for their massive turnout, the PTI has instructed its workers to reach and stay at respective ROs offices and keep focus on Form 45, which is official result.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2024