KARACHI, Sept 18: The electioneering in the city has generally picked up momentum in certain localities of the city, with the emergence of party flags and display of election symbols.

These banners and symbols have been put up at vintage points on main arteries and roundabouts, and increasing number of corner meetings are being held in certain localities.

The numbers of flags, banners and election symbols visible in any locality speak of the party influence and the organizational structure.

Most of the banners have been tied with electric poles or put up with hoardings.

The Oct 10 polls have, so far, failed to kick off election fever in view of the restrictions imposed by the election commission on candidates.

Under the “code of conduct for 2002 elections” motivation of voters in the coming days looks a far reality.

In the absence of the PPP chief, Benazir Bhutto, and the PML chief, Nawaz Sharif, there appears not even a single leader among the parties who could create a stir among party sympathisers and supporters.

Mobilization of voters by a party is possible when it has a well-stretched network.

‘Kite’, ‘Book” and ‘Arrow’ are the three election symbols which are visible in certain localities where Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the Muttahida Majlise Amal and the Pakistan Peoples Party have dominance.

Election offices are being set up in different parts of the city by the party candidates in vacant shops or by erecting tents decorated with the party flags, election symbols and banners of the candidate where party songs are being played. However, as compared to the previous polls, the election offices look deserted.

Like In the past, manufacturers of election souvenirs and publicity material, have this time produced many other items, including party flags, symbols and decoration pieces and portraits of popular leaders and they hope to earn some profit from the sale of such items, but their business is yet to take off.

One can find such shops at the Paper Market, off M.A. Jinnah Road and on the roadsides in different parts of the city.

When one of the shopkeepers was asked about the business trend, his response was that it is not encouraging yet. However, he said the “Kite”, the symbol of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, was in hot demand, followed by PPP’s “arrow” and PML(N)’s “Loin”. People could also find them selling flags and symbols of other parties, including the Muttahida Majlise Amal and Sunni Tehrik.

Along with the publicity material, the business of printing of banners is also picking up.