February 14, 2008	Thursday	Safar 06, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: Leading political parties on Wednesday expressed apprehension that rapidly deteriorating law and order situation might restrict voters to their homes on the election day.

The fear was voiced at a series of refresher courses organised for political parties officials, candidates for the national and provincial assemblies and their Campaign Managers. The courses focusing on proven techniques for “The Last 200 Hours of the Election Campaign” were organised in all four provinces across the country by a prominent NGO working for the cause of strengthening democracy in the country.

The need to raise the political awareness of the masses so that they are able to make a well informed decision on February 18 was highlighted by all the participants at the sessions across the country arranged by Pakistan Institute of legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) with the support of International Republican Institute (IRI). A key concern raised by representatives of all the participating political parties was mobilising the voters to come out on election-day to cast their vote.

The series of courses was aimed at helping officials of political parties, candidates for the National and Provincial Assemblies and their campaign managers make the best use of the last 200 hours before the polls on February 18 - the final phase of their election campaign.

Attention of the participants was drawn to the final week of the election campaign that started on February 11 and will finish on February 18 at 5pm.

According to a press release, the course highlighted the importance of the last 200 hours of the campaign when the election is won or lost and the candidates who make best use of this time are the ones who stand the best chance to win the election.

A number of key strategies were outlined including focusing on the ‘swing’ voters in the final 200 hours of election campaigning.

Political party officials, candidates for the national and provincial assemblies and their campaign managers from eight major political parties in the country attended the 17 refresher courses. Five sessions were held in Peshawar, three in Islamabad, four in Karachi, two in Quetta and three in Lahore.

Participants included party officials and workers from each city where the course was held as well as from other cities and towns from each province. A separate course was held for each political party or alliance.—Our Reporter