October 11, 2002	Friday	Sha'aban 4, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: A low turnout of voters was witnessed in Thursday’s polls, as according to some political parties only 20 to 25 per cent people exercised their right of franchise.

In the last general election held in 1997, in which Pakistan Muslim League (N) got a “heavy mandate”, the turnout was 35.42 per cent, which too was low as compared to 1970 polls.

All the three main political parties — PPP, PML(Q) and PML(N) described the turnout as the lowest ever. Siddiqul Farooq, spokesman for the PML(N), said the turnout was as low as 25 per cent.

Farhatullah Babar, the PPP spokesman, was non-committal, saying in some parts of the country it was better but in others it was low. He, however, was certain that it was “slow and low.”

In 1997, 19,903,172 electors, out of total 46,206,055 registered voters, cast ballot in the first party-based elections since 1985.

In 1990 election the turnout was 45.46 per cent. The PML(N) came into power for the first time through 1990 polls. The number of voters increased as out of 47,065,330 registered voters, 21,395,479 electors visited the polling stations.

In 1993 elections, in which the PPP again came into power, turnout was 40.28 per cent. In 1997 elections, the turnout was 35.42 per cent, when the PML(N) got the “heavy-mandate”.

The PML (N) spokesman said that turnout was low because the electors had no confidence in the arrangements made by the Musharraf government, specially after their experience in the presidential referendum.

Another reason for the low turnout was the elimination of popular leaders from the election race through conditions, he added.

The PPP spokesman said the slow and low turnout indicated disenchantment of the voters with the whole election process manoeuvred by the military regime.

He said throughout the country, the PPP candidates were the target of attacks by the government-supported candidates.

Brig Chaudhry Rashid (retired), an office-bearer of PML(Q), said that turnout was 18 to 20 per cent.

Kunwar Khalid Younus, spokesman for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, said that the turnout was less than 30 per cent. Haji Adeel, information secretary of Awami National Party, said that the turnout was between 20 and 25 per cent.

Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, headed by Imran Khan, painted a more gloomy picture, saying only 12 to 15 per cent voters used their right to vote.

An official of the Election Commission, however, said the turnout was more than what was witnessed in 1997 election.