KARACHI: Opposition parties to field joint candidates: Sindh PA by-elections
By Habib Khan Ghori
KARACHI, Nov 9: The opposition parties may field joint candidates in the by-elections scheduled for Dec 10 in three constituencies of the Sindh Assembly (PS-106, 117 and PS-120).
The nomination papers can be filed by Tuesday (Nov 15) as per notification issued by the Election Commission.
All three seats pertain to Karachi District and are considered to be strongholds of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement from where in last two decades, Haq Parast nominees have returned to the assembly with huge margin against their rivals.
PS-117 and PS-106 have fallen vacant following elections of Syed Mustafa Kamal and Kanwar Neveed Jamil as Karachi City Nazim and Hyderabad City Nazim while PS-120 fell vacant due to death of MPA Ali Bin Hamid Zaidi.
According to political observers, the opposition circles are not in favour of wasting energy by fielding potential candidates and campaigning for them.
They were of the view that in Karachi the MQM had already swept recently held local government polls and got its nominees elected as nazims on 14, out of 18 towns.
Besides, the constituencies where by-elections were announced are their strongholds and all efforts even to field combined candidates of the opposition would hardly make a difference.
However, hawks in the opposition do not agree with the logic and are of the opinion that if elections are held in transparent and free and fair manner, their potential candidates could get equal chances of victory.
They were of the views that if all votes of PPP, JUI, PML-N, JUP and JUI were cast to a single candidate, the opposition could overcome the vote gap. Therefore, the entire efforts of the combined opposition should be to launch concerted campaign in this regard.
The constituencies comprise the following localities: PS-106: The constituency comprises mostly Liaquatabad where 67823 are male voters and 59534 female voters.
PS-117: This constituency comprises PIB Colony, Jehangir Road, Jamshed quarters, Pakistan Quarters, Garden East and Parsi Colony, with 65136 male voters and 54925 female voters.
PS-120: Shah Faisal Colony and adjoining localities.
