[🇵🇰] Pakistan General Elections -- 2024

[Deleted due to Error (Muji Iqbal)]

I would vote for Fazlur -ur-Rehman.

At least he is better than Nawaz Sharif or PPP

 

[ghazi]

Parties deny representation to transgender community​

WISAL YOUSAFZAI/ASIF MAHMOOD/RAZZAK ABRO
JAN 31, 2024

Despite their progressive manifestos, no political party has offered a ticket to a candidate of the etherized gender

 

[ghazi]

Editorial: ​

What new depths will the state plumb as it makes clear its antipathy towards Imran?​

For now, we may only spectate as institutions bend to the will of those who think that no elected leader deserves a free pass.

Double down​

Editorial
February 1, 2024

TWO verdicts in two days. A 14-year sentence for ‘corruption’ to accompany a 10-year sentence for ‘divulging state secrets’. First, his top lieutenant, and now his spouse also convicted and jailed.

And still, former prime minister Imran Khan’s troubles are far from over. What new depths will the state plumb as it makes clear its antipathy towards him?

The days leading up to the Feb 8 elections may hold more ‘surprises’. For now, we may only sit and spectate as facts, procedures, laws and institutions bend to the will of those who think that no elected leader deserves a free pass — until they decide they do.

Mr Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been convicted for under-declaring the value of a jewellery set they received as a gift while the former was still in office. The verdict has been delivered via an accountability court judge who, just days before the last general election, had also convicted this year’s front-runners in the Avenfield reference.

That judgement was overturned in November last year. Most commentators believe this one will not last too long, either. Incidentally — or perhaps by design — the same judge is also supposed to hear a similar case involving items retained from the state’s gift repository. The matter involves several cars allegedly retained by Messrs Nawaz Sharif, Yousuf Raza Gilani and Asif Ali Zardari in violation of Toshakhana rules.

 

[ghazi]

Central KP — The ‘kingmaker’ of the province’s politics​

The Peshawar valley and central KP is the key that can open doors of power for those who succeed in winning over voters.

 

[ghazi]

Khyber candidates counting on their tribal affiliations, personal clout​

Ibrahim Shinwari
February 1, 2024

KHYBER: Tribal affiliations and personal influence of candidates have taken precedence over their political associations or ideological bonds in election campaigns here.

They are seen in videos soliciting votes from people on the basis of their tribe and sub-tribes and demeaning opponents for being part of rival tribes.

With the general election in one National Assembly constituency NA-27 and three provincial assembly constituencies PK-69, PK-70 and PK-71 just a week away, some candidates are reminding tribesmen of how much attention they as lawmakers paid to the development of their areas by neglecting other localities or tribes.

They’re little interested in promoting the political parties that fielded them and are helping them canvass “to an extent.”

Tribal district has one NA, three PA seats

Political observer Khiyal Mat Shah Afridi, who is a former councillor, insisted political ideologies and election manifestos were “conveniently” ignored by candidates of almost all major parties.

“Organisational structures of most parties are very weak in tribal districts, while the local electorates prefer someone from their own tribe instead of an alien imposed on them,” he told Dawn.

 

[ghazi]

Pakistan has fifth-highest number of registered voters in world: report​

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published February 1, 2024

ISLAMABAD: The unprecedented surge in the number of voters has made Pakistan fifth largest democracy in the world trailing India, Indonesia, United States of America and Brazil.

This is also the first time that Pakistan registered more women voters as compared to men in-between two elections.

This was disclosed by a Fafen Report, titled “Electoral Rolls, General Election 2024” released here on Wednesday.

The report says that with the fifth-highest number of registered voters globally, Pakistan has a record 128.5 million people, constituting over half of its total population, registered as voters on the Final Electoral Rolls (FER) for the upcoming Feb 8 elections, marking a substantial increase of 22.5 million voters, including 12.5 million women, added since 2018.

Fafen calls for efforts to alleviate under-registration of young women

Presently, it says, the number of registered voters constitutes 53.2 per cent of the 241.49 million population. Nevertheless, there are regional disparities in voter-to-population ratios, with Punjab (57 per cent) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (53 per cent) registering over half of their populations as voters. Sindh and Islamabad have voter-to-population ratios close to 50 per cent, while Balochistan lags behind with 36 per cent population registered as voters.

The voter-to-population ratio can be indicative of potential under-registration with a caveat. The ratio only accounts for voters registered in their native districts and not those who are registered as voters on their temporary addresses outside their native districts.

At the district and constituency levels, the disparity in voter proportions becomes increasingly apparent. Among the 136 districts analysed by Fafen, 78 have more than half of their populations registered as voters, while nine districts, including Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kohistan Palas, Kech, Kharan, Panjgur, Sherani, Surab and Washuk, have less than 30 per cent population registered.

A comparable trend is noted at the National Assembly constituency level, with 159 out of 266 constituencies registering over 50 per cent of their populations as voters. The registration of women has experienced an unprecedented increase since 2018, following the implementation of special measures introduced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in accordance with Section 47 of the Elections Act, 2017.

 

[ghazi]

Election 2024: Students rejoice mid-season 9-day holiday​

All educational institutions will practically remain closed throughout the country from Feb 3 to Feb 11

News Desk
February 01, 2024

As the nation prepares for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, students across Pakistan, on the other hand, are rejoicing after being granted a mid-season nine-day holiday.

On Thursday, the Sindh Education Department announced that all private and public schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed from February 6 to February 9.

The government has already declared February 5 as a public holiday in observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day. Furthermore, February 10 and 11, being the weekend, will provide additional days off for students.

The decision to grant leave during this period has been approved by Sindh's Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Bakar, citing the upcoming general elections.

 

[ghazi]

Politics of disenfranchisement: Why Pakistan’s youth no longer believes in the sanctity of the vote​

With a barrage of challenges awaiting the incoming government, Pakistan’s cyclical dystopia perseveres. Another meaningless election. Another debilitated government. Another divided house. And round and round we go.

Faiq Zafar
February 2, 2024
“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing truly dies.” — Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption

For Rehan Shamsi, 61, hope is a double-edged sword. A seasoned participant in Pakistan’s tumultuous political history, Rehan was but a 25-year-old engineering student in Karachi when the death knell sounded on General Ziaul Haq’s decade-long stint at the country’s helm.

Amid cheers of hope and merriment, Benazir Bhutto assumed the reins of power in the winter of 1988 — an event considered to be a critical inflection point in the country’s long, agonising crusade to democracy. It seemed the sun had finally dawned on a people downtrodden by decades of shattered promises and dead aspirations.

“I don’t think today’s generation understands the optimism that permeated the air in ’88. It was a genuine moment of hope. I know it sounds idealistic now, but you have to understand where we were,” reminisced Rehan. An active member of the National Students Federation and a worker of the Qaumi Mahaz-e-Azadi Party in the 80s, he vehemently believed in and campaigned for Benazir’s Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD).

 

[ghazi]

Lower-caste Hindus see greater presence​

About a dozen Hindus participating in elections from Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas divisions

Sameer Mandhro
February 02, 2024

KARACHI: Lower-caste Hindus in Pakistan are carving a niche for themselves in the political arena, boldly stepping into the electoral fray on general seats.

The surge in participation is particularly pronounced in the Mirpur Khas division, home to districts such as Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, and Tharparkar, where a majority population of non-Muslims, especially Hindus, resides

About a dozen Hindus are participating in elections from Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions, with a key focus on NA-215 Mithi, NA-213 Umerkot, and PS-45 Mirpurkhas. Notably, all three candidates in these constituencies are up against Muslim opponents.

In NA-215 Mithi, PPP’s Mahesh Kumar Malani, who secured victory in the general elections 2018, faces Arbab Ghulam Rahim, a prominent leader of the GDA and former chief minister of Sindh. Local analysts believe Malani, with Hindu voter dominance, is well-positioned to defeat his archrival.

"Malani is a public figure and knows how to maintain a strong connection with the masses," Sajid Bajeer, a journalist based in Mithi, said.In Mirpur Khas’s PS-45, Seth Hari Ram Kishori holds a favourable position despite contending against a Muslim candidate from an upper caste – Syed.

Lower-caste Hindus see greater presence | The Express Tribune

About a dozen Hindus participating in elections from Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas divisions

tribune.com.pk

 

[ghazi]

80 percent polling stations in Balochistan declared ‘sensitive’: minister​

Balochistan’s Interior Minister Zubair Jamali has said that over 80 per cent of polling stations in the province have been categorised as “sensitive,” with 34pc marked as “highly sensitive.”

Only 19pc of polling stations in Balochistan have been identified “normal”, the minister said in an interview with Dawn News programme “Doosra Rukh”.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Balochistan government has also barred political parties from holding rallies and corner meetings.

 

[ghazi]

ECP completes training of 1.49m officials for Feb 8 polls​

The Election Commission of Pakistan says it has completed the training of approximately 1.49 million electoral staff members for the successful conduct of Feb 8 general elections.

In a statement, the ECP spokesperson stated that a total of 27,676 training sessions, engaging 3,821 trainers, were conducted over a span of 87 days.

It said the commission trained approximately 5,000 officers and data entry operators (DEOs) through 148 training sessions before integrating them with the returning officers.

 

[ghazi]

K-P gearing up for an interesting election​

WISAL YOUSAFZAI
FEB 03, 2024

PTI seems to be the party to beat in the province, however its legal troubles will aid the likes of JUI-F
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455372/k-p-gearing-up-for-an-interesting-election

 

[Old School]

It is going to be "General Selection 2024". It's not a general election in its true sense.

 

[ghazi]

Please don't laugh ..
.........

Will not rest until Pakistan becomes stable: Nawaz​

NEWS DESK
|
Ex-PM claims the country’s youth is with him and not with those who only create negativity on social media

 

[ghazi]

Nawaz wants to ‘rob’ people of their rights by forming ‘puppet’ govt: Bilawal​

PPP chairman claims to be only political leader seeking votes directly from people, rather than from 'elsewhere'

News Desk
February 03, 2024

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressing a rally in Tharparkar on February 3, 2024. PHOTO: PPP MEDIA CELL

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday accused former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of “robbing” people of their rights by attempting to form a “puppet” government, a term he extensively used against another former prime minister Imran Khan during his tenure as premier.

 

[ghazi]

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded on Saturday all preparations for the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8 (Thursday).

Over 120 million registered voters are poised to exercise their democratic right by casting votes for the national and four provincial assemblies.

The ECP has established a network of 90,675 polling stations spanning across all four provinces. Among these, 41,403 are combined polling stations, while 25,320 cater specifically to male voters, and 23,952 are designated for female voters.

A diverse pool of candidates, totalling 5,121, are vying for seats in the National Assembly. This includes 4,807 male candidates, 312 female candidates, and two transgender candidates.

The upcoming elections will take place for 266 general seats in the National Assembly and 593 general seats across the four provincial assemblies.

ECP finalises poll staff’s training

Additionally preparations for the upcoming general elections in Rawalpindi have reached a significant milestone with the training of 26,150 selected polling staff.

In a directive from the district returning officer, it has been emphasised that telephone and internet connections be promptly installed at the 2,671 designated polling stations across Rawalpindi. School heads have been instructed to coordinate with Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) officials for immediate meetings to ensure swift installations.

By February 6, all polling stations are expected to have operational official telephone lines and internet connections, with heads reporting relevant details to the Election Commission of Pakistan on February 7.

District Returning Officer (DRO) Hasan Waqar Cheema shared that a total of 2,671 presiding officers, 13,872 assistant presiding officers, 6,936 polling officers, and 2,672 naib qasids have been appointed for the elections, covering 2,671 polling stations and 6,936 polling booths in Rawalpindi.

To facilitate the distribution of polling boxes and stationery, all returning officers are summoned to the offices of presiding and polling officers at 10am on February 7.

 

[ghazi]

ECP disqualifies Shah Mahmood Qureshi for 5 years following cipher conviction​

The Election Commission of Pakistan has disqualified PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi for five years after his conviction in the cipher case.

In a notification issued today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the commission barred him from the upcoming February 8 general elections as well as “any subsequent elections for a period of five years”.

It added that he was disqualified under Article 63(1h) of the Constitution, read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017.

 

[ghazi]

Jahangir Tareen — looking to fulfil the promise of ‘Naya Pakistan’?​

During his election campaign, Tareen has vowed to fulfil the promise of introducing ‘Naya Pakistan’.

 

[ghazi]

Jahangir Tareen — looking to fulfil the promise of ‘Naya Pakistan’?​

During his election campaign, Tareen has vowed to fulfil the promise of introducing ‘Naya Pakistan’.

View attachment 1969

He should also wear this..
Discount for him......................

 

[ghazi]

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday called out the MQM and PPP for their electoral plans through “chaos” in the metropolis in a bid to gain “political mileage”, saying that it is crucial on the election stage.

Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, the JI Karachi Chief told reporters that “the JI stands pivotal in making of the government in Sindh and the center.”

He vowed that his party will stick to the Karachi Declaration for the progress and development of Karachi and elsewhere in Sindh, saying that after being elected to power, the JI will introduce healthcare cards for the citizens.

 

[ghazi]

ECP has power to take back electoral symbols from political parties, rules LHC​

• Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan issued an 18-page verdict

NNI
February 4, 2024

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday ruled that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) hhe power to take back electoral symbol from political parties.

The LHC issued a written judgement dismissing the petition filed against ECP’s power to take back election symbols from political parties. Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan issued an 18-page verdict.

The court ruled that Section 215 of the Election Act 2017 was not against the Constitution. The court further said Election Act 2017’s Section 215 was not against Constitution in light of Articles 9, 14, 17 and others.

 

[ghazi]

ECP completes printing of 260m ballot papers for all constituencies​

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has successfully completed printing of 260 million ballot papers for all constituencies in the country, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

According to the ECP spokesman, National Assembly ballots are printed on green paper while those for the provincial assembly are printed on white paper.

 

[ghazi]

Pakistan’s electoral system — an illusion of true representation​

Winning parties often mirror only a fraction of registered voters, leaving the fate of the majority hanging in the balance. Urgent reforms, including compulsory voting, are required to restore true democracy and represent the will of the people.

Javed Jabbar
February 5, 2024
The brazen tactics — by the triumvirate of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the caretaker federal and provincial governments Punjab in particular and the judiciary (with only some exceptions), backed by the euphemism known as the establishment — are in full public view for anyone who wants to see.

Consequently, a major political party, PTI, is being prevented from formal participation, while its leader, a former prime minister has been convicted in three different cases over the last one week alone. This is only one reason why the upcoming polls will be yet another non-representative expression of the Pakistani people’s political views. At the same time, I would love to be proved wrong.

At the outset, let this be noted: this writer is not a member of the PTI. In fact, on several instances, I have completely disagreed with the PTI’s decisions and policies. Yet, the way in which major political parties and other institutions have acted against the PTI, just before April 2022 and after, violates irreducible norms of fairness, decency, and impartiality.

Notwithstanding the bizarre, reprehensible actions of some elements on May 9, 2023 — still not independently investigated and verified — the victimisation of PTI, as also the unrelated, yet contextually pertinent disregard for the ongoing protests in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan are sources of profound unease, be they directly or indirectly related to the subject of this reflection.

Non-representative polls​

Notwithstanding the above, one of the principal reasons for the persistent anomaly of electoral systems and results over the last 53 years is that in six out of 11 general elections, the average voter turnout has stood at around 45 per cent. This means that more than half of the eligible voters in the country never recorded their preferences.

Meanwhile, in the five other elections, though the turnout was over 50pc, it never reached a two-third majority or more — a reasonably representative, though not complete portrait of reality.

In this writer’s view, the minimal turnout to validate an election should be at least 75pc, which is equivalent to the margin required to make a constitutional amendment in most democracies.

In other South Asian countries, on average in the recent past, though just two countries’ turnouts have reached over 75pc, only Afghanistan with 35-40pc was lower than Pakistan. Sri Lanka and the Maldives stood at 78pc, with Nepal at 69pc, and India and Bhutan at 66pc. Even Iran in West Asia managed 60pc.

Various factors shape voter turnout, the leading one being faith in the integrity of the electoral system followed by convenient access to polling stations (to be fair to Pakistan, one estimate claims that the average voter — the majority — can reach their respective polling station in about 10 minutes from their place of residence).

Other factors include conditions of law and order in and around polling locations, sheer apathy or lack of confidence in available choices, prejudice against women casting votes, and many more. All of these, collectively or individually, have contributed to Pakistan’s low voter turnout rates.

Pakistan’s electoral system — an illusion of true representation

Winning parties often mirror only a fraction of registered voters, leaving the fate of the majority hanging in the balance. Urgent reforms, including compulsory voting, are required to restore true democracy and represent the will of the people.

www.dawn.com

 

[ghazi]

Pakistan’s general elections are scheduled for February 8, and for some it will be their first time casting a vote. For our readers, Business Recorder is breaking down the steps in order to make the exercise easier and simpler.

Here are a few things to consider before casting your ballot.

To prevent confusion on election day, it is wise to find out where you will cast your ballot in advance.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has introduced a text message service that enables you to find out your constituency in order to address this.

Text your National Identity Card (NIC) number to 8300, making sure to include all digits without spaces or dashes.

You will receive the block code, serial number, and name of the electoral region once you have mailed in your CNIC.

Read the complete details here

Bringing your CNIC to the polling place is essential. Even if you bring photocopies and other documents, you will not be allowed inside.

Please reconsider if you were about to snap a picture or a selfie while voting. Bringing a cellphone is not permitted at all. Leave your phone at home or in a secure location.

After leaving the polling place, however, you can snap a photo of your thumb that has the specific ink applied to it.

Voting will take place from 8:00 am to 6:00pm. To avoid a long queue, try to arrive early on during the day.

Wait for your time in the queue, and the presiding officer will verify that your name and electoral number are listed.

After calling it out, the officer will mark it off the list to let you know that you have been given two ballots.

If you forget to look for the presiding officer’s signature and stamp on the back of both papers, your vote won’t be accepted.

There will be two ballots provided to you. The white voting paper is for the provincial parliament; the green ballot paper is for the national assembly.

After that, the presiding officer will imprint your thumb impression on the electoral rolls using a unique, non-erasable ink. This will be done to demonstrate that you’ve used your right to vote.

This portion of the ballot paper will be retained by the presiding officers for their records.

Make sure the ballot papers have:

• ECP’s watermark
• Official nine-matrix seal
• Not a paper or anything else attached to it
• Does not have stamps on more than one candidate’s election symbols

After that, you’ll be led to a polling place. Verify that no one else is present or trying to get you to cast a vote for a certain entity.

Make sure the ink is dry before properly folding the ballot papers once you have stamped both of them.

Proceed to the voting booths and insert the green ballot paper into the green-topped box and the white ballot paper into the white-topped box.

 

[ghazi]

Bilawal vows to change Karachi’s fortune in five years if PPP elected​

PPP chairman says city will be given representation it deserves in Sindh cabinet

News Desk
February 05, 2024

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressing a rally in Karachi on February 5, 2024. PHOTO: PPP MEDIA CELL

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday stated that if the people of Karachi elected PPP candidates from at least 20 National Assembly seats, the city’s landscape will change within five years.

The Pakistan’s financial capital 22 and 47 national and provincial assembly seats,