February 19, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 11, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Balloting on Monday remained smooth and peaceful in both National Assembly constituencies (NA-48 and 49) of the capital city, except for some disturbance in Bhara Kahu where polling had to be suspended briefly.

Amid fears of suicide attacks on polling stations, the turnout of voters was reportedly satisfactory in Islamabad.

According to unofficial estimates, the average turnout was around 30 per cent, which showed that people enthusiastically took part in the voting process.

Staff at some polling stations said though the process started at 8am, people began coming in at around 8:30am. Polling gained momentum just before midday when people were seen in queues at different polling stations.

Some of the voters told Dawn that they wanted a “change” in the political scenario, therefore they came out of their houses to vote for their favourite candidates.

Security arrangements were quite satisfactory in the capital and foreign observers were moving freely. Envoys of different countries also visited some polling stations to monitor the process.

Polling stations apart, overall the federal capital presented a deserted look as traffic on roads was quite thin. However, supporters of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were seen in cars carrying huge party flags.

Some observers from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), who visited the Federal Government College for Women, F-7/2, said they were quite satisfied with the electoral process.

“So far, the election is going on smoothly and there is no report of any rigging,” an OIC observer said.

Responding to a question about voters’ turnout, he said it was also satisfactory. “We have seen a big number of people trying to enter into a polling station so that they could cast their votes before closure of polling,” the observer said.

In Islamabad, the election camps of PML-N and PPP candidates saw great activity, while those set up by the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) wore a deserted look with only one or two persons present there in the afternoon.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ahmed Ali said overall law and order situation remained satisfactory except for an incident in Bhara Kahu where supporters of two political parties exchanged hot words over parking of vehicles outside a polling station.

The official said security personnel and officials of the local administration deployed there handled the situation and restored the polling process in half an hour.

Meanwhile, some of the voters also complained about inaccuracy in voters’ list issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“I did not find my name in the list the ECP has put on its website, however, I managed to spot my name in the printed lists after hectic efforts,” a voter, Mansoor Ahmed, in a polling station in F-10 said.

A significant number of people in NA-49 (Islamabad-II) constituency also complained that they wanted to vote but their names were missing from the voters’ list.

“We have turned down a number of voters as their names were not in the electoral rolls despite having the computerised national identity cards,” activists of different political parties told Dawn while assisting voters in finding their vote number in the list.

However, they conceded that the fault lay with the people as they showed lethargy in checking their names in electoral rolls in advance.

Eleven candidates were in the run for the National Assembly seat but the real fight was between the PPP and PML-N candidates, former MNA Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Dr Tariq Fazal, respectively.

The hustle and bustle in the camps of the PML-N and PPP was reflective of the fact that the PML-Q candidate, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, had no chance and was bound to lose.

Even the fear of insecurity and violence during the polling process failed to desist constituents who came in large number to cast their votes.

“I am here with my family just to oppose and make it sure that the PML-Q should lose,” said a senior government officer on condition of anonymity.

Overall, the election process remained peaceful, however, sporadic incidents of scuffle took place between the activists of the PPP and PML-Q in Kanja, Sohan, Kirpa and Bhara Kahu. No serious injury was reported.

A major brawl broke out at the polling station in Kanja where a PML-Q worker repeatedly tried to enter the polling stations of both men and women.

Interestingly, the number of women voters surpassed that of men.

“Though I am a PML-N voter, this time I have voted in favour of the PPP to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto,” Ms Azeem said.

On the other hand, Mr Dilshad held the PML-Q responsible for the chaos.

“We have always supported the PPP because it is the party of the poor and down trodden,” Mr Tanvir said while walking towards the polling station.

Allah Ditta was happy with the election process but was not optimistic about emergence of a stable government, saying that “a hung parliament was in the offing.”